TNI chief warns against secessionist movements<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Newly installed Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono
\nSutarto issued a strong warning to secessionist movements on
\nWednesday, saying that efforts to separate from the unitary state
\nof the Republic of Indonesia would be crushed with military
\noperations.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists in his first press conference as TNI
\nchief at the Cilangkap military headquarters in East Jakarta,
\nEndriartono urged rebel groups to end their struggle against the
\nlegitimate government as \"the country has been quite patient in
\ndealing with them.\"<\/p>\n
\"If we agree to keep the country united, we should not
\ntolerate any secessionist movement,\" said Endriartono, who was
\ninstalled as the new TNI chief last June 7 replacing Adm. Widodo
\nAdisutjipto of the Navy.<\/p>\n
Endriartono was accompanied by the Army Chief of Staff Gen.
\nRyamizard Ryacudu, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Chappy
\nHakim, Navy Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Sahroni, and TNI
\nChief for General Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.<\/p>\n
Two secessionist movements -- the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in
\nthe country's westernmost province of Aceh and the Free Papua
\nMovement (OPM) in the easternmost province of Papua -- have been
\nfighting for independent states from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"If both the government and legislators consider that only
\nmilitary operations can put an end to the rebel movements, TNI is
\nready to carry it out,\" the four-star Army general said when
\nasked whether or not the military would intensify its operation
\nin Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued new directives on Monday, urging
\ntroops to intensify their security operations against hard-line
\nrebels.<\/p>\n
Intensified operations are likely to ruin the ongoing peace
\ntalks organized by Switzerland-based non-government organization
\nthe Henry Dunant Center (HDC) between the Indonesian government
\nand GAM representatives.<\/p>\n
\"We (the TNI) believe that problems in Aceh and Papua as well
\nas Maluku are not merely our responsibility. We are concerned
\nbecause they continue to call for independence even if the
\ngovernment has given in to their demands,\" Endriartono said.<\/p>\n
The TNI, which consists of the Army, Navy and Air Force, has
\nsome 300,000 troops at its disposal, with the Army accounting for
\ntwo-thirds of that number.<\/p>\n
Responding to allegations that military deserters worsened
\ncommunal clashes and religious conflicts in the country,
\nEndriartono said: \"I don't deny that some of my troops have
\ndeserted for various reasons, particularly those who are assigned
\nin sectarian conflict areas. It happens because my troops are
\nonly humans.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-chief-warns-against-secessionist-movements-1447893297",
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