UP CLOSE WITH MISS INDONESIA

After the storm of controversy over her not wearing a headscarf,we get the inside story from Qory her self

What does Socrates have to do with a beauty pageant?In the case of recent of Miss Indonesia Universe Winner Qory Sandioriva,a question about the ancient Greek philosopher posed by a judge during the contest showed her to have a level of intelligence that goes beyond the controversy her triumph has gene rated in Aceh,the province she represented."I think Socrates was someone who upheld the supremacy of low,"the 18-year-old beauty said."Despite being penniless,he was honest and would not take advantage of other people.That should be an example to our leaders".

For Qory,that sentiment might be the kind of thing she would like to be known for,rather than appearing in the contest without a headscarf-a fact that has been seized upon by some Acehnese clerics to denounce her tile as something that brings"shame" to Aceh's traditional Islamic values."I don't wear a headscarf because I think hair is part of a woman's beauty,"she said during the pageant earlier this month.Struck that such a well-spoken,poised and elegant young woman could be the object of such controversy,we sougth out Qory for an exclusive interview.

Qory,born to a Sundanese father and Acehnese mother but raised in Jakarta,defends her decision to represent Aceh,despite having never lived there.She says provincial officials approved of her entry,something pageant spokesperson Mega Angkasa confirmed,saying that Qory was a"descendant of the province"and therefore eligible.

"The headscarf has been a sensitive issue in the contest,"Mega said,"but the public should know that in 2002,Aceh's representative was also headscarf-less".

After beating 37 other contestants,Qory received prizes,including a new car,an apartment and 10 million rupiah,which she donated to victims of the earthquake in West Sumatra.

The french literature student at the University of Indonesia plant to spend her year absorbed in promotional activities and charity work,as well as preparing for next year's Miss Universe pageant.