Soeharto wants ABRI to get tough<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto ordered the Armed Forces
\n(ABRI) yesterday to take tough measures against any
\nunconstitutional attempts by irresponsible people to damage the
\nnation's unity.<\/p>\n
The President said that these irresponsible people, whom he
\ndid not identify, used democracy and freedom of speech as a
\npretext to force their own will by violating the law.<\/p>\n
He said antigovernment movements exploited the economic crisis
\nto incite hatred of the government.<\/p>\n
\"Security forces and law enforcers must act firmly, without
\nhesitation against any violations of laws,\" said Soeharto,
\nsupreme commander of ABRI, before 293 participants of an Armed
\nForces leadership meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.<\/p>\n
Soeharto warned the nation Wednesday that groups were plotting
\nto destroy the economy by engineering a dramatic fall in the
\nrupiah against the U.S. dollar.<\/p>\n
The retired five-star general acknowledged that the economic
\ncrisis was causing the people great suffering.<\/p>\n
\"Not a few enterprises have had to reduce their activities,
\nand even close down their businesses, there are massive layoffs,
\nand rising unemployment as well,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto reminded the Armed Forces leaders of their duty to
\nsafeguard the presidential and vice presidential elections by the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly next month.<\/p>\n
\"Create a safe atmosphere and situation for the people and
\nmembers of the People's Consultative Assembly which will convene
\nnext month.<\/p>\n
\"Strengthen ABRI's unity and don't be easily provoked by
\nrumors,\" he instructed.<\/p>\n
The assembly will elect a new president and vice president and
\ndraw up the broad guidelines of state policy. Soeharto is widely
\nexpected to lead the nation into the third millennium. (prb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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