Habibie alerts ABRI to radicals<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie alerted the Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) during the celebration of its 53rd anniversary on Monday
\nto the threat from small radical and revolutionary movements
\nconducting unconstitutional actions in the name of reform.<\/p>\n
He ordered the military to take proactive measures to counter
\nthe groups.<\/p>\n
The President said several leaders of the revolutionary
\ngroups, whom he did not identify, had planned and carried out
\ndestructive and unconstitutional actions in an attempt to force
\ntheir will upon society.<\/p>\n
\"Slowly, there is a trend among some small groups in society
\nthat shows the emergence of seeds of radical and revolutionary
\nmovements which claim to speak and act for the reform movement,\"
\nHabibie said in his address at ABRI Cilangkap headquarters in
\nEast Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The simple ceremony, held for the first time at headquarters
\nas a cost-saving measure, was traditionally conducted at the East
\nSenayan Parking Lot, South Jakarta. It was held once on the
\nJagorawi toll road in the early 1980s.<\/p>\n
The President, who is ABRI supreme commander, expressed hope
\nthat \"the purity of the nation's current reform campaign can be
\nsafeguarded so that it will not be tarnished by the maneuvers of
\nradical and revolutionary groups\".<\/p>\n
Habibie was accompanied during the ceremony by Armed Forces
\nCommander Gen. Wiranto, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo
\nHadisiswoyo, Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Widodo A.S, Air
\nForce Chief of Staff Vice Marshall Hanafie Asnan and National
\nPolice chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi.<\/p>\n
\"Such steps and stance are needed so actions and movements by
\nindividuals or groups openly working to create an uncontrollable,
\nunsafe and unstable situation, can be halted,\" Habibie remarked.<\/p>\n
The ceremony was the first time in 32 years that ABRI did not
\nhave Soeharto, the former president, as its anniversary ceremony
\ninspector.<\/p>\n
Soeharto and former minister of security and defense Gen.
\n(ret) Abdul Haris Nasution, who was recently hospitalized, were
\nabsent from the ceremony. Both were awarded honorary five-star
\ngeneral status last year.<\/p>\n
\"We realize that if we cannot resolve the economic and
\npolitical problems as best as possible, it will be very harmful
\nfor the continuation of development and for national resilience,\"
\nHabibie noted.<\/p>\n
ABRI personnel are expected to reach 517,901 soldiers for the
\n1998\/1999 fiscal year, including 198,000 police personnel.<\/p>\n
The police will be separated from ABRI and temporarily put
\nunder the control of the Ministry of Defense and Security.<\/p>\n
\"The nation's efforts to overcome the crisis and continue with
\nreform must succeed, without their being exploited by any third
\nparties,\" he noted.<\/p>\n
Habibie, reminding ABRI about the need to readjust its
\nposition to anticipate rapid changes in society, also praised
\nproactive measures taken by its leaders.<\/p>\n
\"We all happily welcome and give our highest appreciation to
\nABRI which is redefining, repositioning and renewing its roles in
\nthe nation's life.\"<\/p>\n
Although the President arrived at the venue on time, the
\nceremony began about 45 minutes later than its scheduled 8 a.m.
\nopening due to a heavy downpour.<\/p>\n
After the ceremony, Habibie posed for photographers and
\nbriefly talked to journalists.<\/p>\n
He praised Wiranto's leadership and said previous ABRI leaders
\nwould naturally expect him to perform better than they had.<\/p>\n
\"It's been part of all leaders' expectations that leaders of
\nyounger generation must be better than them.\"<\/p>\n
Habibie then gave Wiranto a salutory kiss on both cheeks and
\nhugged him before he entered his car.<\/p>\n
Present at the ceremony were members of the Reform Development
\nCabinet, former vice president Try Sutrisno and former minister
\nof defense Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat.<\/p>\n
Among others in attendance were ousted Indonesian Democratic
\nParty (PDI) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, noted human rights
\nlawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution and economist Rizal Ramli.<\/p>\n
Commenting on Soeharto's absence from the ceremony, Wiranto
\nsaid the former president had sent a written reply informing he
\ncould not attend and congratulating ABRI on its anniversary.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is, however, that he (Soeharto)
\nsupported the event and sent his regards to ABRI.\"<\/p>\n
He said similar notification was also sent by
\nNasution.<\/p>\n
Megawati said the crisis should yield positive impact on
\nABRI's recognition of its security and sociopolitical roles.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI is part of Indonesian history. ABRI must always be aware
\nof it,\" she told reporters after the ceremony. (imn\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/habibie-alerts-abri-to-radicals-1447893297",
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