Cable Briefs (Press, 28 December 1983)

On 28 December 1983, several significant news events were reported. Egypt announced a reduction in the price of its Suez blend crude oil, cutting it by 50 cents to US$32 a barrel. This move reflects ongoing surpluses in the global oil market, which could lead to further price declines. However, oil trade sources in the Middle East suggested that this particular reduction would not significantly increase downward pressure on prices. In another development, Vietnam has positioned troops, tanks, and armoured personnel carriers near its eastern border with Thailand, indicating preparations for a potential offensive against Kampuchean guerrillas. Thai military sources reported the arrival of approximately 350 Vietnamese troops equipped with T-54 tanks and armed personnel carriers in the village of Thmar Puok in western Kampuchea, having moved from the capital Phnom Penh. A tragic incident occurred in Jakarta, where a Javanese medicine man, or 'dukun', accidentally severed the penis of a six-year-old boy during a circumcision ceremony. The boy's father fainted from shock, while the dukun fled but later surrendered to the authorities. The child was rushed to the hospital along with the severed organ, but doctors were unable to perform a successful grafting operation. In a move aimed at addressing social issues, Indonesian officials announced plans to establish a centre for the country's estimated 4,500 transvestite prostitutes, known locally as 'banshees'. The initiative is intended to provide these individuals with job skills training to help them transition to more conventional employment, such as becoming beauticians, rather than to encourage their street presence. Finally, "Time" magazine named President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President Yuri Andropov as its “Men of the Year,” highlighting their contrasting roles in a year defined by superpower tensions. Reagan was recognised as “the great communicator”, who rose to prominence largely through his effective use of television to articulate his political ideology. Meanwhile, Andropov, termed "the consummate Communist party operative", was praised for his lengthy tenure as head of the K.G.B. before ascending to power through political machinations within the secretive Soviet Politburo.

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