A laudable step forward<\/p>\n
News that five officers of the Army's special force (Kopassus)
\nhave been detained and that two other Kopassus members are under
\nintensive investigation in connection with the abduction of
\npolitical activists brings fresh hope to Indonesia's crisis-
\nstricken community that the goal of building a peaceful, orderly
\nsociety based on respect for the law is not too far-fetched after
\nall.<\/p>\n
Not that the disclosure of the involvement of Kopassus members
\ncomes as a surprise. The fact is that all the clues revealed so
\nfar through the accounts of released activists seemed to point to
\nonly one direction -- that of the Army's elite Kopassus.<\/p>\n
Though the name Kopassus was never openly mentioned in the
\naccounts and though the victims were never given a chance to see
\ntheir abductors, the great efficiency in which the operations
\nwere carried out and the ease with which the victims were held
\ncaptive or later moved elsewhere gave an indication that the
\nkidnappings, or enforced disappearances, could only have been
\ncarried out by trained professionals backed by an efficient and
\npowerful organization.<\/p>\n
Only a very limited number of Armed Forces personnel are
\nbelieved to have had the kind of training and possess the power
\nand organization necessary to ensure the success of such special
\noperations. Again, the best bet here would be those whose job
\nrequires those particular skills, the training and the mobility
\ndisplayed by the abductors -- the special force.<\/p>\n
In fact, a report published in The Washington Post and quoted
\nby the wire service Agence France Presse some time ago mentioned
\nnot only Kopassus in connection with the disappearances, but the
\nspecific group within Kopassus whose members were said to be
\nresponsible. The report also said the American Defense Department
\nwas aware of the abductions even at the time they were taking
\nplace.<\/p>\n
The important point is that it takes a good deal of moral
\ncourage as well as a strong commitment for ABRI to accept the
\nblame for an offense so serious as the enforced disappearance of
\nscores of political activists, some of whom remain missing to
\nthis day. In the past, a case such as this would most probably
\nhave remained an unresolved dark secret. Far from diminishing its
\nprestige, therefore, ABRI's responsive handling of the case of
\nthe enforced disappearances has boosted its stature and imparts a
\ngreater sense of lawfulness and security among the population.
\nFor ordinary Indonesians it is encouraging to see that the
\npresent ABRI leadership appears sincere in upholding its stated
\ndetermination to reestablish law and order in this country.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, it is important to remember that the job is far
\nfrom finished. Although in official ABRI statements regarding the
\nabductions, the blame has so far been placed on oknum
\n(independent individuals) in an apparent attempt to contain the
\nscope of the issue, it is clear that political motivations exist.
\nTo be satisfactory, therefore, a thorough solution of the case is
\nimperative, including court disclosure of the brains behind the
\nplot and the political objectives involved.<\/p>\n
Of no less importance, those still missing must be found.
\nTheir fate must be revealed. The May 12 Trisakti shooting mystery
\nin which four students lost their lives must be properly resolved
\nand legal action must be taken accordingly. To complicate matters
\nfurther, rightly or wrongly, the public suspects a link exists
\nbetween the abduction of activists, the May 12 Trisakti shooting
\nincident, the May 13 and May 14 riots and the rapes that have
\nrecently come to light. In other words, many people believe all
\nthe incidents are related and were masterminded by the same
\npeople for the same objectives.<\/p>\n
It does not take extraordinary imagination to see that a
\nsolution that satisfies the public is imperative if peace and
\norder are to be effectively restored. Considering what is at
\nstake, no effort must be spared to bring all those outstanding
\nissues to a satisfactory solution.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-laudable-step-forward-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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