Widodo dismisses major TNI reshuffle<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm. Widodo A.S. brushed
\nreports of an impending replacement of himself and all his chiefs
\nof staff aside on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"I have no knowledge about the plan as the Wanjakti has yet to
\ncome up with any proposals for a major reshuffle at all,\" Widodo
\nsaid, referring to the TNI's high-ranking promotions and duty
\nrotation council.<\/p>\n
Widodo was responding to Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) legislator Tjahjo Kumolo, who earlier
\nsaid that his faction in the House of Representatives had
\nprepared several names in the military brass to fill in top
\npositions, including the TNI chief post, and all the chief of
\nstaff posts.<\/p>\n
The TNI \"insists on preparing the reshuffle as part of our
\nhold regeneration process. But thus far, I don't know whether the
\nreshuffle will take place in the very near future,\" Widodo told
\nreporters on the sidelines of a seminar held by the Indonesian
\nVeterans Legion (LVRI).<\/p>\n
Widodo, who is the ex-officio chairman of the Wanjakti, has
\nrepeatedly denied that a major TNI reshuffle was in the works.<\/p>\n
Regular TNI reshuffles took place last month, but did not
\naffect officers ranked higher than major general.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said that President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri would forward only one candidate for the TNI chief
\nslot to the House early in March, and expect to hear the House's
\nresponse before it enters its recess on March 28.<\/p>\n
There has been speculation that Army Chief of Staff Gen.
\nEndriartono Sutarto will follow as the next TNI chief after
\nWidodo extends his term of service until 2007.<\/p>\n
In his statement on Monday, Tjahjo said that PDI Perjuangan
\nthrew its weight behind Endriartono's promotion as TNI chief. He
\nalso said that the TNI change of guard would be preceded by the
\nreplacement of all chiefs of staff.<\/p>\n
Earlier, chairman of the House Commission I on political
\naffairs Ibrahim Ambong revealed that his Golkar faction would
\nsupport former Army chief of staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto as the
\nnext TNI chief.<\/p>\n
By law, President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who also chairs PDI
\nPerjuangan, must secure the House's approval in appointing the
\nTNI chief.<\/p>",
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