Govt should reseize military reform agenda, ICG says<\/p>\n
Leo Wahyudi S, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government should retake the initiative in reforming the
\nnation's defense sector from the hands of the Indonesian Military
\n(TNI), the International Crisis Group (ICG) has said.<\/p>\n
The Brussels-based research institute, which has produced
\nnumerous reports on Indonesia, warned that with the lack of clear
\ngovernment policy and the continuing military distrust of
\ncivilians, "TNI has been attempting to control the military
\nreform agenda".<\/p>\n
The recent change of government, the continuing economic
\ncrisis and the problems besetting the military, all called for a
\ncomprehensive review of the TNI, it said.<\/p>\n
"This is an opportunity for the government to repossess the
\ninitiative and regain control of the defense reform agenda," a
\nsummary of the ICG report on the TNI reform stated.<\/p>\n
It noted that in various legislations, including the doctrine
\nof the total people's defense in the defense bill, TNI had begun
\nplanning and reshaping the army territorial organization.<\/p>\n
"This is a low order reform that should stem from government
\npolicy that determines the future mission, size, shape and
\norganization of defense forces, rather than being determined by
\nthe TNI on the basis of a vague philosophical concept contained
\nin legislation."<\/p>\n
The report warned of time bombs that could justify TNI's
\npolitical role or limit government options, unless the civilian
\ngovernment seized the initiative in defense legislation.<\/p>\n
"Effective government leadership is the best hedge against
\nthis possibility," it said.<\/p>\n
Many analysts have warned that the momentum for reform,
\nincluding within the TNI, has slackened over the last two years
\nwith subsequent civilian administrations embroiled in endless
\ninfighting.<\/p>\n
While the TNI has professed to conduct thorough reforms,
\nincluding a gradual withdrawal from the political arena, the
\nschedule remains unclear.<\/p>\n
The military has pledged to withdraw from the House of
\nRepresentatives in 2004 and the People's Consultative Assembly in
\n2009. But is has not made any firm commitment to dismantle its
\ncontroversial territorial structure, through which it exercises
\nmost of its political powers.<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, in her speech to mark TNI's
\n56th anniversary on Oct. 5, said the military should withdraw
\nfrom the political arena and focus fully on national defense.<\/p>\n
But she failed to set a firm deadline.<\/p>\n
The ICG noted that while TNI had changed its education system
\nto incorporate human rights training and new rules of engagement,
\nit had yet to impose penalties for violations of these rules.<\/p>\n
"President Megawati has committed herself to uphold respect
\nfor human rights, but what this means has yet to be seen on the
\nground, particularly in the troubled provinces of Aceh and Irian
\nJaya."<\/p>\n
The report called on the government to review the ground rules
\nfor the country's intelligence services, and to revamp the way
\nthe government finances the military.<\/p>\n
It also recognizes the need for the international community to
\nassist Indonesia to help set the defense reform in motion.<\/p>",
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