On reform in TNI<\/p>\n
I would like to respond to the article of Ms Lesley McCulloch
\nof July 25, which criticized my point of view about the reform
\nprocess inside the Indonesian Military (TNI).<\/p>\n
You might not have read entirely what I wrote, as I said
\nprecisely that if the number of TNI\/National Police seats in the
\nlegislature had decreased in the past few years, there was still
\nmore scope for their action and pressure. I mentioned the
\nterritorial military structure and the implications of the army
\nin the economic world and its consequences.<\/p>\n
You have used twice the argument about \"what happens behind
\nthe scenes\": indeed there is some activity but I am a pragmatic
\nobserver of the situation and I don't make blind and unfounded
\nspeculations.<\/p>\n
I base my arguments on facts. Among those facts, there is the
\nintegrity, the professionalism and the rigor of the three
\ngenerals mentioned in the article. As a good analyst, you should
\nhave noticed better the ones I did not mention; you may find
\nthere, I believe, some answers. Furthermore I am not a fanatic
\nsupporter of the army, and I really start to question whether you
\nreally read what I wrote.<\/p>\n
For the situation in Aceh, I believe that the army is not the
\nonly one to be responsible for the horror in this province. GAM
\n(the Free Aceh Movement) must also share responsibility for the
\nkilling, blackmail and rape. May I suggest you read the most
\nrecent reports of the International Crisis Group of June 12, 2001
\nand June 27, 2001.<\/p>\n
It is time to stop using a dual approach toward the Indonesian
\narmy: in reality there is no hard, precise line between good and
\nbad. Furthermore it is dangerous to adopt an ideological approach
\nsuch as yours and to systematically criticize the Indonesian
\nArmy. You could lose objectivity where you should be a pragmatic
\nobserver. Stop looking at the Indonesian Army with your
\noccidental mentality and accept that, in Indonesia, the army has
\nanother place than the one usually accorded it in the western
\nworld.<\/p>\n
Finally, try to moderate your wish for reform and give time a
\nchance. You should know, just like me, that in Indonesia, time is
\na parameter that you have to or ought to accept: Alon-alon asal
\nkelakon (slow but sure).<\/p>\n
PHILIPPE RAGGI<\/p>\n
(Philippe.raggi@ign.fr)<\/p>\n
PARIS<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/on-reform-in-tni-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }