Army plans to form anti-terrorist unit<\/p>\n
CIMAHI, West Java: The Army, flattered by its recent \"success\"
\nin ending the four month-hostage drama in Irian Jaya, plans to
\nform an anti-terrorist unit.<\/p>\n
Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono said yesterday the planned
\nspecial unit will chiefly comprise red-beret commandos from
\nDetachment 81, part of the Army special force (Kopassus).<\/p>\n
The move is part of the Army's plan to expand the special
\nforces from the current three units to five. Under the scheme,
\nthe rank of Kopassus' chief will be promoted from brigadier
\ngeneral to major general.<\/p>\n
\"The expansion is expected to bolster Kopassus' ability to
\ncover all areas throughout Indonesia,\" Hartono told journalists
\nwhile attending the celebration of West Java's Siliwangi military
\ncommand's 50 anniversary.<\/p>\n
Kopassus' three units are based in Serang, Batujajar -- both
\nin West Java -- and Kartasura in Central Java. It is currently
\nheaded by President Soeharto's son-in-law Brig. Gen. Prabowo
\nSubianto.<\/p>\n
Trained in additional skills, the commandos of Detachment 81
\nare often dubbed \"Kopassus Plus\".<\/p>\n
Hartono, from the green bereted Army Reserve Strategic Command
\n(Kostrad), said the plan to form the anti-terrorist unit had been
\nmade long before the May 15 operation to rescue the hostages in
\nIrian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Spearheaded by Kopassus, the operation managed to rescue nine
\ncaptives, including six European. Two hostages were killed by
\ntheir abductors.<\/p>\n
\"It was formed based on a real need and has been endorsed by
\nthe Commander of the Armed Forces,\" he said. \"We hope the plan
\nmaterializes in the near future.\"<\/p>\n
He added it would take the army eight months to train the
\nanti-terrorist unit. It will bring together troops from different
\nforces.<\/p>\n
Hartono confirmed press reports that the Armed Forces is
\nconsidering promoting the commandos involved in last week's Irian
\nJaya operation.<\/p>\n
\"Also being assessed is Brig. Gen. Prabowo. I agree that those
\ncontributing to the operation deserve extraordinary promotion,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The troops that were involved in the operation came from all
\nelements of the Armed Forces: the army, air force, navy and
\npolice, Hartono stressed.<\/p>\n
He flatly denied foreign press reports that foreign forces
\nwere involved in the military operation in the jungle-clad
\nMapnduma village.<\/p>\n
\"Not a single foreigner was involved in the operation. I was
\nthere so I know exactly what happened,\" he said. He said the Armed Forces are continuing the operation against
\nthe Free Papua Movement separatist rebels. \"You don't need to
\nknow the details. Maybe in two to three years time, it will be on
\nthe record,\" he added. (17\/pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/army-plans-to-form-anti-terrorist-unit-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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