ABRI must lift nation's welfare<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) must share in the effort
\nto improve the nation's welfare besides its main responsibilities
\nin defense and security, President Soeharto says.<\/p>\n
Describing ABRI as the nation's \"backbone\", Soeharto said in a
\nspeech to mark the military's 49th anniversary yesterday that the
\nbiggest challenge facing Indonesia today is improving the welfare
\nof the people, \"so that our nation can live on equal footing with
\nother nations which are already more advanced.\"<\/p>\n
Soeharto presided over the gala military ceremony and the
\ntraditional parade by some of the ABRI's forces, complete with a
\nflyover by military aircraft.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, a retired Army general and the military's supreme
\ncommander, said ABRI, which was borne out of the people, has
\naccomplished three large missions in its 49 year history.<\/p>\n
It fought alongside the people to secure and defend
\nIndonesia's independence, it defended the state in the face of
\nvarious rebellions and coup d'etats, and in the last quarter of
\ncentury, it pioneered and encouraged the national development.<\/p>\n
\"That's why it is appropriate to say that ABRI is the backbone
\nof the state and the nation,\" he said. \"There aren't many armed
\nforces in the world that can lay claim to such performance and
\ndedication.\"<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Soeharto said the demise of the Cold War has
\nmade conflict a thing of the past as the world now enters a new
\nera which depends more on international cooperation.<\/p>\n
\"In this era, ABRI is still needed in defense and security as
\nwell as in socio-political affairs,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"In defense and security, ABRI is our protection against
\nvarious possible threats to the existence of our nation. In
\nwelfare, the socio-political role of ABRI is needed to create a
\ncondition conducive to the growth of democracy, the establishment
\nof the law and the development of people's initiatives and
\ncreativity.\"<\/p>\n
The head of state also emphasized the need to ensure that the
\nfruits of development are shared equally among the people.<\/p>\n
\"The people will work with greater enthusiasm if they know for
\ncertain that the fruits of development will be enjoyed together
\nin a fair and equitable manner and if they can work in a calm
\nenvironment... Our country's history has shown that national
\nupheavals occur at times of economic difficulties and when
\ndevelopment is not shared equally.\"<\/p>\n
Simple and short<\/p>\n
The highlight of the military parade was the synchronized
\nmovement in the art of self defense by about 300 troopers from
\nvarious units, including the Army women corps.<\/p>\n
The ceremony, however, was kept simple and short, with an eye
\ntoward an even bigger one next year when ABRI turns 50.<\/p>\n
Soeharto yesterday presented meritorious service awards to
\nfive officers for dedication to their units.<\/p>\n
The Yudha Dharma Nararia medal of the Air Force was presented
\nto Col. Hersoebeno, the Kartika Eka Paksi Nararia medal of the
\nArmy was presented to Lt. Col. Suharno, the Jalasena Nararia
\nmedal of the Navy to Maj. J.B. Siswanto, the Swabhuana Paksa
\nNararia medal of the Air Force to Second Lt. A.F. Tukiman and the
\nBhayangkara Nararia medal of the National Police to First Lt.
\nJamidi.<\/p>\n
Shortly after Soeharto and his entourage departed, spectators
\nwho were kept out of the area during the ceremony poured onto the
\nceremony grounds in the hope of catching a glimpse of, and
\nhopefully shaking hands with high-ranking officials such as ABRI
\nChief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Army Chief of Staff Wismoyo
\nArismunandar, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Tanto Koeswanto, Air
\nForce Chief of Staff Marshal Rilo Pambudi and National Police
\nChief Gen. Banurusman. (pwn)<\/p>\n
Editorial -- Page 4<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abri-must-lift-nations-welfare-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }