ABRI unveils leadership reshuffle<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chief spokesman for the Armed Forces (ABRI)
\nBrig. Gen. Syarwan Hamid confirmed yesterday a series of changes
\nin the military's top leadership that have been the subject of
\nspeculation in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto, as ABRI supreme commander, has appointed
\nR. Hartono as the new Army Chief of Staff and promoted him to the
\nrank of four-star general, which went into effect on Feb. 1.<\/p>\n
He replaces Gen. Wismoyo Arismunandar, who will reach the
\nmandatory retirement age of 55 this Friday.<\/p>\n
Hartono's current position as ABRI chief of socio-political
\naffairs will be filled by Maj. Gen. Ma'aruf, currently assistant
\nto the chief of general affairs.<\/p>\n
Another major change in ABRI headquarters is the appointment
\nof Maj. Gen. Soeyono, currently chief of the Diponegoro Military
\nCommand in Central Java, who becomes chief of general affairs. He
\nreplaces Lt. Gen. H.B. Mantiri, who turned 55 last September.<\/p>\n
Syarwan said President Soeharto issued three long-awaited
\ndecrees yesterday: one on the appointment of Hartono, another to
\npromote Hartono to a higher rank and a third to officially retire
\nWismoyo.<\/p>\n
Hartono will take his oath as Army Chief of Staff at a
\nceremony before President Soeharto at the State Palace on
\nSaturday. The transfer ceremony from Wismoyo to Hartono will be
\nheld at the Army headquarters on Monday.<\/p>\n
Hartono and Mantiri will formally hand over their posts to
\ntheir successors at a ceremony at ABRI headquarters tomorrow,
\nSyarwan said.<\/p>\n
Speculations that Wismoyo's military career was coming to an
\nend were further strengthened when he was appointed as chairman
\nof the National Sports Committee (KONI) early this month.<\/p>\n
Syarwan played down the significance that Hartono had been
\nchosen for the Army's top post over Wismoyo's currently deputy,
\nLt. Gen. Soerjadi. In the past, the Army Chief of Staff was
\ntraditionally succeeded by his deputy.<\/p>\n
\"There's nothing in the regulation that says an Army chief of
\nstaff must be succeeded by his deputy.\" he told reporters. \"I
\nthink it's a question of the right man for the job.\"<\/p>\n
Appointments of top military positions are the prerogatives of
\nthe President and the head of state, he added, also has the right
\nto extend the service of any officers beyond retirement age if he
\nso wishes.<\/p>\n
Syarwan declined to speculate on Hartono's future, which will
\nbe in the balance when he reaches the mandatory age of 55 in June
\n1996. \"The President could extend his service. Or, Hartono could
\nhold the Army chief of staff job until then. I don't know.\"<\/p>\n
Asked about the position of ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung,
\nwhose active duty has already been extended beyond retirement age
\nby President Soeharto, Syarwan joked: \"I don't know. It's not in
\nmy crystal ball.\"<\/p>\n
Syarwan said there will also be leadership changes in the
\nNavy, Air Force and the National Police as a number of them have
\nalready reached retirement age.<\/p>\n
Lt. Gen. Soerjadi will also be replaced, he said.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi and Mantiri are apparently being considered for
\nambassadorial posts. (rms)<\/p>",
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