President urges special forces to renew resolve<\/p>\n
BATUJAJAR, West Java (JP): President Soeharto called yesterday
\nfor greater alertness and vigilance among members of the Army's
\nSpecial Forces (Kopassus).<\/p>\n
In a written statement marking the force's 45th anniversary
\nyesterday, Soeharto said Kopassus must continually follow local
\nand international events to anticipate potentially unfavorable
\ndevelopments which might threaten national unity.<\/p>\n
In the statement, delivered by Army Chief of Staff Gen. R.
\nHartono, Soeharto said security disruptions and crisis could
\nhappen anytime as a result of foreign intervention or the
\npeople's own ignorance.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia's transition from an agrarian society to a
\ndynamic industrialized society had resulted in greater public
\nvitality.<\/p>\n
But this vitality is prone to vulnerability, he said,
\nincluding opportunities as well as threats within the larger
\nscheme of things.<\/p>\n
Soeharto reminded the force's officers to exercise vigilance
\nand evaluate the duties they have performed for their country.<\/p>\n
\"Make these qualities your source of guidance for the heavier
\nand more complex responsibilities you will face,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He urged officers to train themselves to be better able to
\nface disruptions in national security.<\/p>\n
\"Our country's national stability needs to be sure-footed and
\ndynamic to accelerate the pace of development,\" Soeharto said,
\nadding the nation has entrusted Kopassus to honor duties bestowed
\non them.<\/p>\n
After the anniversary festivities attended by 3,000 Kopassus
\nmembers, Hartono said the force would be continuously developed,
\ndespite its recent restructuring.<\/p>\n
Material development would also be adjusted to the rapidly
\nevolving technology, he said. Among the changes is the transfer
\nof the force's bases. The first group is based in Serang, Group
\nII in Kartasura, Group III in the Bandung subdistrict of
\nBatujajar, Group IV and Group V in Cijantung, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Kopassus commandant general Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto said
\nthe force's success lies in the quality of its personnel.<\/p>\n
\"Modern, state-of-the-art equipment is necessary but this has
\nnot been fully met. With qualified personnel, the Kopassus can
\nproperly perform all of its required duties,\" Prabowo said.<\/p>\n
He said the force is only 80 percent equipped but it has not
\ndeterred the members' fighting spirit.<\/p>\n
Prabowo, also the President's son-in-law, expressed his
\ngratitude to the force's retired officers.<\/p>\n
Highlights of the celebration included parachute
\ndemonstrations and air attacks.<\/p>\n
During the festivities, a number of officers, including
\nPrabowo, were awarded medals of the military's highest honor for
\ntheir efforts in releasing nine people taken hostage by Irian
\nJaya rebels last year.<\/p>\n
The medals, including Bintang Eka Paksi Pratama, Bintang Eka
\nPaksi Nararya and Satya Lencana Eka Dharma, were awarded by the
\nforce's deputy commandant and chief of ceremonies Brig. Gen.
\nIdris Gassing. (ahy\/01)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-urges-special-forces-to-renew-resolve-1447893297",
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