Army chief rejects political appointees<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Amid rumors of an impending military reshuffle,
\nArmy Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto warned President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid on Friday against replacing high-ranking
\nmilitary officers to gain an advantage over his political foes.<\/p>\n
\"The President must consider the larger interests of the
\npeople and the nation, rather than only temporarily interests,\"
\nEndriartono said at Army Headquarters here.<\/p>\n
He stressed that any changes in the leadership of the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI) must not be aimed at achieving the
\npolitical agenda of the President.<\/p>\n
Endriartono's statement caps off a slew of public remarks by
\ntop military officers this week, which have in effect rejected
\nthe idea of the President issuing a decree dissolving the House
\nof Representatives and making key military appointments to
\nachieve that end.<\/p>\n
There have been reports the President is considering declaring
\na state of national emergency and, or, issuing a decree to
\ndissolve the House, which at the end of the month will convene to
\ndetermine whether a special session of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly should be called to consider impeachment proceedings
\nagainst the President.<\/p>\n
Military officers have made clear their opposition to
\ndissolving the House, which has reportedly prompted the President
\nto consider replacing key TNI officers with those who would be
\nmore accepting of such a step.<\/p>\n
Top military brass reportedly expressed their opposition to
\ndissolving the House during a breakfast meeting with the
\nPresident on May 5.<\/p>\n
Among those reported to have attended the meeting were
\nEndriartono, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono and
\nAir Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Hanafie Asnan.<\/p>\n
But Abdurrahman again denied on Friday any such plan to issue
\na decree dissolving the House.<\/p>\n
\"I never said a single word that such a decree would be
\nissued,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Endriartono said on Friday that \"when the TNI decided to
\nadvise the President to refrain from issuing the decree, we did
\nso as part of our total commitment (to the nation), not just as
\nlip service\".<\/p>\n
\"The President should not ruin our commitment by replacing the
\ntop military leaders,\" Endriartono said as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Indroko and Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) chief
\nLt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu have also insisted that the military
\ndesires to remain above the political bickering and focus on its
\nprofessional duties.<\/p>\n
Separately, a political observer from the National Institute
\nof Sciences, Indria Samego, said that despite its public
\nstatements the TNI was still playing a prominent role in the
\npolitical arena.<\/p>\n
But unlike in the past, the military's active role in politics
\nis due in large part to appeals from civilian politicians who do
\nnot have the self-confidence to act without the support of
\n\"Indonesian generals\", Indria said during a discussion at The
\nHabibie Center here on Friday.<\/p>\n
\"People say that the TNI has turned its back on the President
\nand is forging a closer relationship with Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri. Isn't that a political maneuver?\" Indria said.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he said the TNI leaders were correct in
\nrejecting attempts to replace senior officers to achieve
\npolitical interests.<\/p>\n
\"A reshuffle is supposed to be something that happens
\nnaturally. But in this case, it has become very interesting due
\nto the political motivations behind it,\" Indria remarked. (02)<\/p>",
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