ABRI wants openness trend to continued next year<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) has urged all parties to
\nmaintain the trend towards political openness next year, stressing
\nthat it is ready to play its part.<\/p>\n
ABRI chief spokesman Brig. Gen Syarwan Hamid told reporters
\nyesterday that he was confident that Indonesia's political climate
\nwould improve next year, albeit in phases.<\/p>\n
\"This depends not only on ABRI but also on the good will of all
\nthe other forces in the country,\" Syarwan told a briefing for
\njournalists to mark the end of the year.<\/p>\n
\"The future of this nation is in our hands. If we want to
\ndestroy it, we certainly can. If we want to see more openness and
\ndemocracy, we should all work for it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The year 1994 was marked by the low profile attitude of the
\nmilitary in politics although the dual function concept recognizes it
\nas one of the country's political forces. Much of the initiatives
\nhave been taken by the ruling political group Golkar instead.<\/p>\n
Syarwan emphasized the need for greater dialog between all
\npolitical forces in the country to encourage the development of
\npolitical openness and democracy.<\/p>\n
He said ABRI's chief concern is ensuring political stability
\nwhich is a prerequisite for economic development.<\/p>\n
Although he did not predict any major event in 1995, he said the
\nbiggest, potential threat to national security would come from
\nconflicts between religions, races or ethnics.<\/p>\n
These are issues which could destabilize the nation and also
\nderail the process towards greater political openness, he said.<\/p>\n
He warned that failure to manage these conflicts could set the
\nnation back in terms of democracy.<\/p>\n
\"It could even lead to destruction,\" he added.<\/p>\n
\"The quest towards openness must never be made at the expense of
\ndestroying the country. That will be a very high price to pay,\"
\nSyarwan said.<\/p>\n
Responding to a question, he said that 1995 could see major
\nchanges in the military leadership. \"That is a possibility given that
\nABRI is a dynamic organization.\" (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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