Support needed to help TNI conduct reforms<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and
\nSecurity Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appealed on Wednesday
\nfor support for the Indonesian Military's (TNI) undertaking in
\nconducting internal reforms and for no disruption to its efforts
\nin producing professional soldiers.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists attending a ceremony to mark the Army
\nStrategic Reserve Command's 40th anniversary in Cijantung, East
\nJakarta, Susilo insisted that TNI sincerely wished to relinquish
\nits political role and will not be seduced to make a return.<\/p>\n
\"It was the people's choice for the TNI to relinquish its
\npolitical and social role, therefore please help the TNI conduct
\nits internal reforms by not disturbing it,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
Susilo was responding to a question concerning an editorial in
\nthe Washington Post on March 2 which hinted that the new United
\nStates administration was giving some consideration to renewing
\nonce-strong U.S. ties with the Indonesian army.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian military, the Washington Post said, would be a
\n\"decisive power broker\" if, as many fear, the battle over
\nPresident Abdurrahman Wahid's impeachment turned violent.<\/p>\n
\"No one can interfere in our political matters,\" Susilo
\ninsisted, while adding that the nation must give civil
\npoliticians an opportunity to lead the country.<\/p>\n
Others attending the anniversary included former Coordinating
\nMinister for Political and Security Affairs Gen. (ret.) Wiranto,
\nthe Ministry of Defense's secretary general Lt. Gen. Jhony
\nLumintang, former Kostrad chiefs Gen. (ret.) Wismoyo Arismunandar
\nand Lt. Gen. Djadja Suparman, and the Jakarta Military commander
\nMaj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo.<\/p>\n
Separately, TNI Chief Adm. Widodo A.S. said foreign countries
\nshould show a greater understanding of the complexity of
\nIndonesia's domestic problems.<\/p>\n
\"The people of this nation should believe that the TNI, as a
\nstate instrument, will always remain within the boundaries of the
\nconstitution and will not deviate from its authority,\" Widodo
\nsaid after a coordinating meeting on political, social and
\nsecurity affairs here later on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in New York, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab also
\nplayed down the editorial piece saying that it would be
\nimpossible for Washington to back down on its own stance to
\nsupport the democratization process in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Separately, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais
\nbrushed aside the likelihood of military dominance in the near
\nfuture, since any suggestion of a military takeover would only
\ncreate further chaos in the country.<\/p>\n
\"If the TNI tries to take over the government they will have
\nto face a fierce struggle from the people, and most of all from
\nstudents as it is contrary to the reform agenda,\" Amien told
\njournalists on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\"So, it will be impossible for TNI to do such a thing,\" he
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
Former State Intelligence Coordinating Board (Bakin) chief Lt.
\nGen. Z.A. Maulani and military observer Salim Said also echoed
\nAmien's statement saying that a turbulent battle would commence
\nif the TNI tried to stage a comeback into the political arena.<\/p>\n
\"If the TNI tries to do such a thing and take over the
\nleadership of the country, then they would have to deal with
\nrejection from both the people and students,\" Maulani said.<\/p>\n
\"I don't think the international community would support such
\na thing.\"<\/p>\n
Salim believes the TNI would not repeat the mistakes it
\ncommitted during the 32 years of the New Order regime. (02\/dja)<\/p>",
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