ABRI holds leadership meeting

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) held a top level meeting on Thursday, bringing together senior Army, Navy, Air Force and National Police officers from across the country.

Antara reported late on Thursday that the lack of adequate intelligence information in the run-up to a number of recent riots was among items on the agenda for the three-hour closed meeting which began at 2 p.m.

"We discussed the perception that the Armed Forces has been slow to respond to unrest and restore a sense of order," said spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif. Other items on the agenda included preparations for the June general election and how to prevent further unrest.

Lt. Col. Panggih Sundoro told The Jakarta Post that almost all senior military officials, including those from provincial legislatures and regency councils, attended the meeting.

Among those present were Army's Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Johnny Lumintang, Navy Chief Admiral Widodo A.S., Air Force Chief Marshal Hanafie Asnan, National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, ABRI Chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, ABRI Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Sugiono, the commanders of 10 regional military garrisons and provincial police chiefs from around the country.

Panggih said that during the rare meeting, Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto delivered a speech outlining his views on the general election, East Timor and security problems facing the nation in the months ahead.

He said that Wiranto and Roesmanhadi would discuss the meeting in greater detail with the media on Saturday. (rms)