ABRI never blinded by power, says Wiranto

ABRI never blinded by power, says Wiranto

BANDUNG (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces (ABRI)
Commander Gen. Wiranto asserted here on Tuesday the military had
never and would never be blinded by power.

He stated that the military had never thought of taking
control of the country during the leadership crisis in May,
saying ABRI remained committed to safeguarding a constitutional
and peaceful leadership succession.

"It's evident that ABRI has its own character and is not
easily swayed by pressure, especially during the state leadership
succession last May," he said when opening a seminar on the Armed
Forces role in the 21st century.

The three-day seminar is being held at the Armed Forces Staff
and Command School.

Wiranto spoke of complex challenges facing the military in the
21st century, especially concerning democratization, human rights
and the environment -- all major themes being touted by many of
the country's new political parties.

"Such issues were launched not only by domestic political
groups, but also by independent and internationally affiliated
non-governmental organizations (NGOs)," he said, adding that some
of the issues were being used by radical groups to revive "old
ideologies".

Present at the opening ceremony were Army Chief Gen. Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo, Air Force Chief Vice Marshall Hanafie Asnan,
National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi and Armed Forces Chief
of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Wiranto said ABRI was ready to redefine its dual function
doctrine -- which gives it both security and sociopolitical roles
-- to prepare itself for the challenges that lay ahead.

"ABRI is developing a new paradigm in that it does not always
have to be at the forefront of the nation's political affairs and
is ready to share its political role with non-ABRI partners," he
said.

Seminar participants indicated strong support for a commitment
to reform and a redefinition of ABRI's sociopolitical role.

"ABRI's dual function is quite an ideal concept. Yet, there
have been some distortions in its implementation," said Bilveer
Singh of the National University of Singapore. "ABRI should,
therefore, make necessary changes in the concept."

Y.B. Mangunwijaya, a seminar participant, suggested that ABRI
redefine the concept.

"ABRI members have been given the mandate to master the use of
weapons and to be professional.

"Yet, the decision on when, where and how to use the weapons
must be made by civilians," he said.

The new chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Agency
(Bakin), Lt. Gen. (ret) Zaini Azhar Maulani, said ABRI must be
able to support the country's democratization efforts.

A political observer of the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada
University, Riswandha Imawan, said ABRI should have the political
will to provide the space for democratization. For instance, the
military should allow university students greater opportunities
to engage in politics on campus.

The seminar, designed to help formulate the Armed Forces' role
in the 21st century, was attended by 200 participants, including
the Armed Forces' top brass, retired generals, public and
religious figures, NGO activists and academicians.

The seminar features former National Police chief Gen. (ret)
Awaloeddin Djamin, former National Resilience Institute
(Lemhannas) governor Lt. Gen. (ret) Sayidiman Suryohadiprojo,
former Armed Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs Lt. Gen.
(ret) Harsudiyono Hartas, former ambassador to the United States
Lt. Gen. (ret) Hasnan Habib, scholar Nurcholish Madjid and
military observer Salim Said.

On a separate occasion, Wiranto confirmed that Maj. Gen. Johny
L. Lumintang would fill the post of commandant-general of the
Armed Forces Staff and Command School, which has been vacant
since early last month when its former head, Lt. Gen. (ret)
Prabowo Subianto, was removed in connection with an ABRI
investigation into the abduction of activists.

Lumintang had also replaced Prabowo as commander of the Army's
Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) following the resignation of
former president Soeharto, though he held the post for only 18
hours before it was transferred to Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.

Wiranto said that Lumintang's shift was part of a massive
reshuffling of top personnel in the Armed Forces, involving more
than 50 high-ranking officers.

Armed Forces spokesman, Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif, said the
move would also reassign Vice Marshall Achmad Sutjipto, now the
commandant-general of the Armed Forces Academy, as the new deputy
to the Navy chief; Maj. Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, now chief of
the Presidential Security Guard, to fill in the post vacated by
Lumintang; and Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, former Jakarta
military commander, as an advisor for political and security
affairs to the Armed Forces commander.

Sjafrie will replace Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, who will
become the new commander of the Army Staff and Command School.
(43/imn)