Tarub installed as ABRI chief of general affairs<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Lt. Gen. Soeyono relinquished his strategic post
\nas chief of Armed Forces General Affairs yesterday to his
\nslightly older successor, Lt. Gen. Tarub, former chief of the
\nArmy's Strategic Reserve Command.<\/p>\n
Both graduated from the National Military Academy at the same
\ntime in 1965. Soeyono was born on March 13, 1943, while Tarub was
\nborn June 10, 1942.<\/p>\n
The transfer ceremony took place behind closed doors at the
\nArmed Forces (ABRI) headquarters in Jakarta, presided over by
\nABRI Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung.<\/p>\n
Another event of importance in the military yesterday was the
\npromotion of Prabowo Subianto, General Commandant of the Army's
\nSpecial Force Command, from brigadier general to a major general.
\nHe reported his promotion to Feisal and Army Chief Gen. R.
\nHartono at a ceremony separate from that of Soeyono's job
\ntransfer.<\/p>\n
Col. Idris Gassing, deputy chief of special forces, also
\nreported his promotion to brigadier general.<\/p>\n
Feisal said yesterday he was proud of Soeyono's performance,
\nand acknowledged that the man had given his best to the military.<\/p>\n
\"The general (Soeyono) has shown loyalty towards ABRI's
\nleadership and has completed his tasks with full dedication and
\nin line with the policy of ABRI's leadership,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It would be impossible for him to perform that well without a
\nstrong sense of responsibility and a good esprit de corps,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Feisal acknowledged that the post is strategic because, in
\naddition to holding the position of first assistant to the ABRI
\ncommander, the individual also functions as secretary to the
\nchairman of the Agency for Coordination of Support for National
\nStability. The body comprises both military and civilian leaders.<\/p>\n
This particular reshuffle at the top layer of military has
\nraised speculation among military observers as well as the press,
\nespecially because ABRI has failed to disclose the reason for the
\nmove.<\/p>\n
Some have speculated that the shakeup took place because of
\nSoeyono's failure to anticipate the violent rioting that rocked
\nJakarta following the forced takeover of the disputed
\nheadquarters of the Indonesian Democratic Party.<\/p>\n
Others speculated that Soeyono was replaced for health
\nreasons. He had a major accident when he participated in a
\nmotorcycle rally in Manado, North Sulawesi on the same day as the
\nJuly 27 rioting.<\/p>\n
The three-star general had to undergo major medical treatment
\nfor his leg and hand injuries. He is still using a stick to walk.<\/p>\n
ABRI spokesman Brig. Gen. Amir Syarifudin only said \"ABRI must
\nhave a physically healthy official to deal with its general
\naffairs.\"<\/p>\n
Soeyono dismissed the speculations. \"To me, rank or position
\nis like a shirt that can be put on, taken off or dumped whenever
\nand wherever I want to,\" he said. \"What's important for me is the
\nresponsibility entrusted to me.\"<\/p>\n
Asked about his plan, Soeyono answered abruptly, \"watching
\nSrimulat.\"<\/p>\n
Srimulat is a Javanese comedy screened weekly by the Indosiar
\nprivate television station.<\/p>\n
Tarub spent most of his military career in the special forces.
\nHe was former deputy chief and chief of special forces between
\n1992 and 1993. He was appointed as chief of the Trikora military
\ncommand in 1993 until 1994, and chief of the Army Strategic
\nReserve Force from 1995 until last March.<\/p>\n
Prabowo vowed yesterday to maintain the elite force's
\nprofessionalism.(rms) Related photo on Page 3<\/p>",
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