`ABRI must safeguard stability'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite budgetary constraints, the Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) must safeguard national stability without having to take
\nover the tasks of other state agencies, President Soeharto says.<\/p>\n
\"As a stabilizing agency, ABRI is expected to create a
\ncondition that allows all state apparatus, in Jakarta and the
\nregions, to function in accordance with their tasks,\" Soeharto
\ntold ABRI's top brass yesterday at the Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI must do this without intervening in the affairs of the
\nother apparatus,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The military could carry out its mission by continuing to
\nwatch out for the causes of unrest and upheavals that occurred in
\nthe past or likely to occur in the future, he told some 170
\nofficers who were here for ABRI's annual leadership meeting.<\/p>\n
The officers completed their two-day meeting yesterday to
\nreview the security situation, discuss the challenges facing the
\nnation and underline their tasks for the coming year. They also
\ndiscussed ABRI's fourth five year strategic plan (Renstra IV)<\/p>\n
In his report to President Soeharto, ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal
\nTanjung said the leadership meeting concluded that national
\nsecurity, despite some disruptions here and there, has been well
\nmaintained and conducive for development.<\/p>\n
Feisal said that although ABRI's strength has not reached its
\nideal level, the military is always vigilant against potential
\nthreats and disruptions to the nation, national unity, cohesion,
\nterritorial integrity and sovereignty.<\/p>\n
Present at the meeting were the chief of staffs of the Army,
\nthe Navy, the Air Force and the chief of the National Police. All
\nof the regional commanders were also in attendance.<\/p>\n
The meeting reviewed the performance of ABRI's dual role -- in
\npolitics as well as in its traditional role in defense, according
\nto Feisal.<\/p>\n
Soeharto, himself a retired army general, appealed for ABRI's
\nunderstanding about the government's own budgetary constraints
\nand about the fact that most of the funds had been earmarked for
\nprograms to improve the welfare of the people.<\/p>\n
He promised, however, to ensure that Indonesia could maintain
\nthe minimum necessary strength needed for the military to defend
\nnational sovereignty.<\/p>\n
\"On behalf of the government, I want to convey my gratitude
\nfor ABRI's patience and understanding in carrying out its duty
\nwith limited budget,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Gen. Feisal said in his report that the drive to make ABRI a
\nmore professional, effective and efficient force should not be
\ntaken to mean that the military must be expanded. The stress is
\non enhancing the capability and fighting spirit of the soldiers.<\/p>\n
Rp 1.6 trillion<\/p>\n
The government has earmarked some Rp 1.6 trillion ($760
\nmillion) on defense spending in the current fiscal year.<\/p>\n
Soeharto also appealed to the military to act as the
\n\"dynamizing\" agency in the country, by taking the lead in various
\nnational causes and at the same time allowing other forces in the
\ncountry to play their role.<\/p>\n
He reminded the officers that the nation has yet to fully
\nrealize its concept of total people defense in which ABRI, as the
\nmain force, work together with other forces in the nation to
\nsafeguard the country.<\/p>\n
He said military training for people outside ABRI could be
\nconsidered as it could bring major benefits to society. \"Upon
\ncompletion of their military service, they could return to
\nsociety and earn a livelihood in the field of their choice.\"<\/p>\n
The President also appealed to ABRI to pay a special attention
\nto the efforts in containing crime in the country because recent
\ndevelopments have been a cause of concern for the people.<\/p>\n
He said there should be closer coordination between ABRI and
\nother law enforcement agencies, and the public must also be
\nencouraged to participate in preventing and containing crime.
\n(rms)<\/p>",
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