KEDUNGOMBO, 19 years ago. After inaugurating this reservoir in Central Java, President Suharto, as usual, held a face-to-face meeting with local residents. Tens of villagers sat respectfully, listening. After extolling at great length the importance of the reservoir, Suharto blasted those who still refused to relocate from the site, describing them as a group of hard-headed, recalcitrant people.

The story of Kedungombo is a tale of woe for thous