ABRI introduces new concept of its societal role

ABRI introduces new concept of its societal role

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) headquaters unveiled
yesterday its new concept in which it pledged to take a backseat
in the country's political affairs and work to support a civilian
leadership.

Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto elaborated on the new
concept at a media conference held at ABRI's Cilangkap
headquarters in East Jakarta yesterday. He said the military
would now play more of a supporting, albeit influential, role on
the political stage.

"ABRI does not have to always be at the forefront. ABRI can
act as a partner who does not necessarily have to hold a key
position but can still play an influential role," he told
reporters.

He said the Armed Forces would be ready to share its political
role with non-military partners.

"It doesn't have to be an ABRI official, anybody can lead the
nation. ABRI will support whoever leads the country," he said.

Wiranto's statement comes amidst revelations which have
severely damaged the Armed Force's image.

Investigations have revealed that the Army's Special Force
(Kopassus) was responsible for the abduction of political
activists. Wiranto recently issued a public apology for the
alleged misconduct of troops in Aceh and ordered the withdrawal
of combat troops from the province.

But Wiranto defended the Armed Force's past record and strong
presence in the political arena as something which could not be
separated from the compelling circumstances of the New Order
government.

"ABRI's past political activities cannot be separated from the
New Order government," he said.

Speaking about ABRI's relationship with the government,
Wiranto dismissed allegations that the Armed Forces was largely
responsible for propping up the past regime.

"ABRI will support any government which is constitutionally
valid," he said.

He said the Armed Forces had learned from the past and was now
committed to conducting internal reforms and adopting a new modus
operandi which is applicable to the new atmosphere in the
country.

"ABRI considers that it is important to shift from a dogmatic
and security-oriented approach to an analytical and systematic
one," he said.

"ABRI reforms will also include an evaluation of state
security operations and defense systems, including a study of the
function and role of the National Police," he added.

However he insisted that the Armed Forces still had a role to
play in ensuring the safety of the nation and the smooth progress
of it's development program.

"ABRI will safeguard and sustain the national development
program and lead the people of Indonesia toward achieving their
national goals," he said.

Wiranto said the Armed Forces was committed to correcting the
mistakes it has made.

"The Armed Forces Headquarters is determined to review its
code of ethics and leadership scheme after realizing that some of
its officers were involved in wrongdoings. We want to ensure that
there will be no more procedural violations in the future," he
explained.

Wiranto dismissed speculation that past mistakes and
wrongdoings and the country's present woes, including the
prolonged economic crisis, were caused by the military's dual
function.

"It's not fair for people to say that everything ABRI did in
the past has brought no benefit to the nation at all.

"It's also illogical to condemn ABRI's past performance when
looking through the lens of the country's new paradigm," he
added.

He also dismissed allegations that combat troops were
stationed in the provinces of East Timor, Irian Jaya and Aceh
under ABRI's own initiative.

"Our missions in East Timor, Irian Jaya and Aceh are part of
our state duties to protect the people from threats posed by
local armed separatist movements," he said.

"The decisions to declare the three provinces military
operation zones were not taken by ABRI alone. They were all
political decisions taken by the government." (imn)