Army leaders to meet local veterans<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Army leaders plan to hold talks with retired
\nsenior officers to discuss their perceptions about state affairs.<\/p>\n
Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono said yesterday he has yet
\nto set the date and venue for the forum where the participants
\ncan express their ideas freely.<\/p>\n
\"The idea has long been planned,\" Hartono told journalists
\nafter swearing in several Army officials assuming their new
\nposts.<\/p>\n
The chief of staff announced the plan at a time when several
\nArmy generals are in the hot seat over their criticism of the
\nbureaucracy, including the Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
Last month, President Soeharto questioned the outspoken
\nveterans' commitment to implementing the 1945 Constitution and
\nthe state ideology Pancasila.<\/p>\n
Several retired generals like A.H. Nasution, Solichin G.P. and
\nBambang Triantoro replied that their comments were an effort to
\ncontribute ideas for the betterment of the nation.<\/p>\n
Hartono said the idea to bring together the veterans and
\nactive officers for talks came up long before the controversy
\nover retired general's criticism flared up.<\/p>\n
\"It's you (journalists) who made it as if the idea is
\nsomething new,\" he scoffed.<\/p>\n
Hartono said that the Army leadership will select veterans to
\ninvite to the seminar, but priority will be given to graduates of
\nthe Army Staff and Command School who finished their studies
\nbetween 1951 and 1961.<\/p>\n
The general said some veterans naturally view current affairs
\nwith an old frame of mind, which is not always suitable.<\/p>\n
\"The current condition is of course different from the past,
\nalthough there is nothing fundamental,\" Hartono said. (17\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/army-leaders-to-meet-local-veterans-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}