Military's antiterrorism squads undergo specialty training<\/p>\n
Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said
\non Thursday that the military was conducting rigorous training
\nsessions for its servicemen, who may be included in the planned
\nantiterror squad in a bid to help the National Police to prevent
\nand tackle terrorism in the country.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists at the military's headquarters,
\nEndriartono said that when the antiterror squad was in place, he
\nwould order and deploy the squad to clamp down on terrorist
\nactions on land, on sea, and in the air immediately after the
\npolice or the president asked him to do so.<\/p>\n
\"It is the police's responsibility and authority to guarantee
\nthe public security and order but there is a legal ruling that
\nrequires us to give a hand in times of need,\" he said.<\/p>\n
His dismissed critics who expressed their reservations over
\nthe establishment of the antiterror squad by TNI.<\/p>\n
If not under proper civilian control, such an antiterror squad
\ncould be misused to intimidate people, similar to the abuses
\nduring former president Soeharto's administration when the Army's
\nSpecial Force Kopassus abducted pro-democracy activists, critics
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Currently, it is only Kopassus which has a counter-terror
\nsquad.<\/p>\n
Endriartono, nevertheless, said that members of the military's
\nantiterror squad would come from Kopassus as well as from the
\nNavy's Marines and the Air Force's Special Force (Paskhas).<\/p>\n
Endriartono said Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil was
\nchecking the preparations in each squad to combat terrorism,
\nthen, he would decide whether TNI would have only one antiterror
\nsquad or let each of its forces have their own antiterror unit.<\/p>\n
When each of TNI's forces have their own antiterror unit, they
\nwould tackle terrorist acts based on their areas of specialty.
\nFor example, plane hijackings would be tackled by the Air Force's
\nantiterror squad, ship hijackings by the Navy and hostage rescue
\nby the Army.<\/p>\n
\"But it is also possible to deploy the three squads at the
\nsame time for certain terrorist acts,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Endriartono, nevertheless, declined to reveal the size of each
\nsquad.<\/p>\n
He also said that the training of candidates did not involve
\nforeign countries in terms of financial or technical assistance.<\/p>\n
On the occasion, Endriartono also pleaded with the public not
\nto prejudge the military nor certain groups before the police
\nannounced the perpetrators of the terror attack in Bali that
\nkilled more than 190 people, mostly foreigners.<\/p>\n
\"I suggest that anyone who has a relationship with any
\npossible perpetrators should refrain from anger at security
\nofficials who are trying to stop all terrorists and their support
\nnetworks,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Endriartono also took the time to deny speculation on the
\npossibility of military involvement in the Bali bombings.<\/p>\n
\"There were many servicemen on duty in different parts of the
\ncountry, including Bali, when the incidents happened but I'm
\nresponsible for their presence and can prove that they have
\nnothing to do with the bombings. If it is proven that there were
\nservicemen involved, they will be shot between the eyes,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He was specifically referring to reports that linked the
\npresence of Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu in Bali and TNI's
\nJoint Staff and Command School chief Lt. Gen Djaja Suparman with
\nthe bombings.<\/p>\n
Endriartono said that Ryamizard went to Bali with his family
\nfor medical treatment on Oct. 12 and returned to Jakarta the next
\nday.<\/p>\n
He added that Djaja was accompanying the students of the
\nschool who were doing their apprenticeship program between Sept.
\n15 and Sept. 21.<\/p>\n
Previously, Ryamizard clarified his presence in Bali to the
\nmedia.<\/p>\n
Endriartono, however, said that it was beyond his ability to
\ncontrol the activities of retired military officers.<\/p>\n
Endriartono also pleaded with the public not to worry that the
\nmilitary would come to power again because the civilian
\nleadership had tight control over the military.<\/p>\n
\"We work based on laws. We will be obedient if the law says
\nthat the military is forbidden to join politics or no longer has
\nany place in the next election or seats in the legislature,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>",
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