Army to have new spokesman

Army to have new spokesman

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's military attache at the embassy in
Bangkok, Col. I Gde Putu Arya, has been named as Army spokesman
replacing Brig. Gen. Robik Mukav.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Wiranto revealed yesterday that he
had already signed the decree for Arya's appointment, but refused
to disclose when the new spokesman would start working.

"He (Arya) will be installed soon," Wiranto said during a
break of a People's Consultative Assembly session. Wiranto chairs
the Assembly's ad hoc committee deliberating non-state policy
guideline decrees.

He said Robik, who has served as Army spokesman since April
last year, would have a new post in the Armed Forces
Headquarters. But Wiranto declined to elaborate further.

"A tour such as this is very common in the Armed Forces. It's
important to make high-ranking military officers mature enough
for other positions in the future," Wiranto said.

He expressed confidence that Arya is qualified for the new job
due to his various experience at home and abroad.

"An officer's understanding of strategic international and
regional environments will always be important," said Wiranto.

However, he refused to comment on further replacements in the
Army, saying that it would be arranged by a council in the Armed
Forces Headquarters in charge of top-level promotions.

Wiranto would not speculate on rumors that Chief of the Army
Strategic Reserve Command Lt. Gen. Soegiono would replace Army
Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Tarub.

There is speculation that Soegiono's departure would pave the
way for Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto, President Soeharto's son-in-
law who is now Chief of Army Special Forces, to advance in
position. (amd)