Politicians, experts split over Wiranto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
\nSecurity Gen. Wiranto, now under the spotlight over the East
\nTimor debacle, attended a routine Cabinet meeting on Wednesday,
\nshrugging off mounting calls for his immediate resignation.<\/p>\n
Politicians and observers, meanwhile, were split over whether
\nWiranto should condone President Abdurrahman Wahid's demand that
\nhe leave the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
In apparent effort to play down the potential power struggle
\npitting Abdurrahman, who represents civilians, against the
\nIndonesian Military (TNI), spokesman for the armed forces Rear
\nMarshal Graito Usodo dismissed rumors of an impending military
\ncoup.<\/p>\n
\"It's impossible. We're not happy with the issue (rumors)
\nbecause it's not true, and I strongly believe it will not happen
\nin Indonesia, especially by TNI,\" Graito told a media conference.<\/p>\n
\"TNI fully supports all decisions made by the President or the
\ngovernment. Whatever they are, TNI will accept them,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Wiranto was present in the Cabinet meeting on security, which
\nwas presided over by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on
\nbehalf of Abdurrahman who is on a two-week trip to Europe.<\/p>\n
The ministers attending the meeting reportedly refrained from
\ntalking about the sensitive topic. A minister quoted Wiranto as
\ntelling Reuters on condition of anonymity 'please differentiate
\nme from the minister and the person who is being investigated'.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman has twice called on Wiranto to resign immediately
\nfrom the Cabinet because of the implications of his involvement
\nin the East Timor violence.<\/p>\n
Wiranto, who was the TNI chief when East Timor was on fire,
\ndismissed the demand, saying he was determined to defend himself
\nagainst charges of wrongdoing. Wiranto was among five military
\ntop brass implicated in the campaign of terror and destruction
\nwhich erupted after the Aug. 30 ballot in the ravaged territory.<\/p>\n
An aide close to Aburrahman predicted last month that a
\nCabinet reshuffle would take place due to allegations of human
\nrights abuses and graft.<\/p>\n
House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung reiterated his
\nsupport for Wiranto's resignation, but asserted that it should be
\nfree from the use of force.<\/p>\n
\"He (Wiranto) should be nonactive, but don't force him to
\nresign. Unless there is evidence to implicate him in the human
\nrights abuses and, therefore, is subject to sentence,\" Akbar said
\nwhile attending the University of Indonesia's 50th anniversary in
\nDepok, West Java.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, Akbar suggested that Abdurrahman give
\nWiranto a chance to talk to him over the resignation.<\/p>\n
In Tokyo, visiting People's Consultative Assembly Speaker
\nAmien Rais said Abdurrahman might have been hasty in ordering
\nWiranto to quit. Amien also hinted he was ready to mediate
\nbetween Abdurrahman and Wiranto, after the former TNI chief
\ndefied the President's order that he step down, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n
Amien said that if Wiranto truly had been involved in
\natrocities in East Timor, he would have no choice but to quit and
\nstand trial.<\/p>\n
Calls, meanwhile, mounted for Wiranto to voluntarily resign
\nfrom the Cabinet in order to ease the formal inquiry on alleged
\nhuman rights violations leveled at him.<\/p>\n
Military observers Johanes Kristiadi and Kastorius Sinaga both
\nstressed that Wiranto's resignation would prevent friction among
\nthe political and military elite.<\/p>\n
Kristiadi from the Center for Strategic and International
\nStudies (CSIS) also said that Wiranto's exit would maintain the
\nteamwork of the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
\"It's not healthy for the Cabinet if controversy on Wiranto
\npits the ministers against each other. It should be Wiranto who
\ntakes the initiative (to resign),\" Kristiadi said.<\/p>\n
Kristianto further added that Wiranto no longer held enough
\npower to bargain with Abdurrahman to remain in the Cabinet and it
\nwas useless to argue with the President who had the prerogative
\nright to decide the fate of his Cabinet ministers.<\/p>\n
\"Wiranto has become defensive recently. He is too self-
\nconfident and assumes he will receive support from the military,\"
\nhe speculated.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Kastorius pointed out that the resignation would
\nenhance the inquiry process at the Attorney General's Office.<\/p>\n
\"Yes, it is wise if he voluntarily resigns. It will
\npsychologically burden the Office to probe an active minister,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Besides preventing the possible controversy among the
\npolitical and military elite, Wiranto's resignation would also
\ncontribute to calming public resentment toward the military as an
\ninstitution and to maintain his personal credibility, Kastorius
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Shortly after former president Soeharto, who was also a senior
\nmilitary general, stepped down, TNI had been target of
\ndenunciation for human rights violations and its involvement in
\nthe political arena.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the TNI faction at the House, Lt. Gen. Achmad
\nRoestandi contended the mounting pressures on Wiranto to leave
\nthe Cabinet, describing them as irrelevant.<\/p>\n
\"There are no rulings that order a minister to step down while
\nin a legal dispute,\" Roestandi said.<\/p>\n
Hartono Mardjono of the Crescent Star Party lashed out at the
\nreport unveiled by the government-sanctioned inquiry into last
\nyear's violence in East Timor, saying it was insignificant to
\nblame Wiranto for the mayhem.<\/p>\n
\"I have read the report and found it is too hasty to conclude
\nthat Wiranto is guilty,\" Hartono said.<\/p>\n
When contacted separately, Amin Aryoso of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) refused to comment
\non the order for Wiranto to step down. (01\/jun\/emf)<\/p>",
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