Moerdiono denies making plan to attack PDI headquarters<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Former minister\/state secretary Moerdiono denied
\non Wednesday that a ministerial meeting prior to the violent
\ntakeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters on
\nJuly 27, 1996 had been the organizing base for the attack.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono echoed former minister of defense and security Gen.
\n(ret) Edi Sudradjat's statement before a joint military\/police
\ninvestigation team on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"As far as I can remember, the mood of the meeting did not
\nreflect that an attack was planned on PDI headquarters,\"
\nMoerdiono said, referring to the ministerial coordination meeting
\non politics and security affairs which was held on July 25, 1996.<\/p>\n
He was speaking to reporters after being questioned by the
\njoint team at the National Police headquarters.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono said that it had been decided in the meeting that a
\nfree speech forum, which had been held at the PDI headquarters on
\nJl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta, should be stopped because it
\nhad disturbed public order.<\/p>\n
\"But, the forum was supposed to be stopped according to the
\nlaw,\" Moerdiono said.<\/p>\n
He declined to elaborate, however, when asked about the
\nprocedures that the meeting had recommended to stop the forum.<\/p>\n
\"That's technical,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The free speech forum was held at the party headquarters on a
\ndaily basis by supporters of then party chairperson, now
\nincumbent Vice President, Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
The forum was stopped when a mob, allegedly backed by elements
\nin the then Armed Forces (ABRI), attacked the headquarters.<\/p>\n
The action, which involved supporters of a PDI splinter group
\nled by Soerjadi, left at least five people dead and 23 others
\nreportedly still missing. The attack triggered massive unrest in
\nCentral Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The joint team is currently questioning several figures who
\nparticipated in several meetings prior to the incident which
\nreportedly planned the party headquarters takeover.<\/p>\n
Former minister of information Harmoko was questioned on Oct.
\n30 for attending a meeting allegedly related to the incident
\nwhich was attended by several former ministers including then
\nminister of justice Oetojo Oesman, then minister of home affairs
\nMoch. Yogie S.M., and Edi Sudradjat.<\/p>\n
Golkar's former secretary-general Ary Mardjono was questioned
\non Monday. (jaw)<\/p>",
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