Habibie commands Wiranto to be firm<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie asked Armed Forces (ABRI)
\nChief\/Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto on Saturday
\nto take whatever actions necessary to deal with what he called
\nacts of rebellion to bring down his government.<\/p>\n
\"I have given instructions (for him) to take firm actions in
\nline with the existing law,\" Habibie said in a televised address,
\nbroadcast as riots broke out in Jakarta and several other towns.<\/p>\n
Habibie said that certain groups in society have indulged in
\nactions that are against the law and the constitution, mobilizing
\nthe masses to foil the implementation of new rules democratically
\nenacted by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), with the aim
\nof bringing down the legitimate government.<\/p>\n
Their actions could be categorized as rebellion that endanger
\nthe unity, cohesion, and life of the nation, he said.<\/p>\n
The MPR, in its Special Session on Friday, presented 12
\ndecrees to Habibie, including one requiring him to organize a
\ngeneral election in May or June of next year.<\/p>\n
Insisting that these decrees reflected the aspirations and
\nexpectations of the people, Habibie said that he intended to
\ncarry them out to the full. \"For this to happen, we need peace
\nand the support of the public,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Habibie appealed to every citizen to remain alert against acts
\nof provocation by certain groups of people bent on inciting
\nunrest.<\/p>\n
\"The government appeals to public figures, mass organizations,
\ncivilian and military officials, to help calm the public so that
\nthey are not drawn into actions that could undermine the unity of
\nthe nation and disrupt our efforts to carry out the MPR decrees,
\nthe reform agenda and restart the wheels of economic
\ndevelopment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Habibie used the televised address to express his condolences
\nfor various incidents that claimed people's lives. \"On behalf of
\nthe government, I express our deepest condolences for these
\nincidents.\" (emb)<\/p>",
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