Army will make use of vocal retired generals

Army will make use of vocal retired generals

JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. Hartono has expressed
regret over statements made by some retired generals, but
promised to make the best of their outspokenness by inviting them
to speak at the influential Army Staff and Command School
(Seskoad).

"We will make use of their opinions and experiences in the
training sessions of our officials at the Seskoad training camp,"
Hartono said after a meeting with Jakarta-based reporters at the
Army headquarters yesterday.

Hartono referred to President Soeharto's recent criticism of
some former generals' "inconsistencies" in their stand on state
issues.

The President said some generals, who were silent while they
were in active service, became critical after they retired.

Senior retired military figures such as Gen. Abdul Haris
Nasution, former chief of the defunct Internal Security Agency
Gen. Soemitro and former Armed Forces chief for sociopolitical
affairs Lt. Gen. Harsudiono Hartas have been described by
observers as "outspoken".

Several other outspoken retired generals, including Kharis
Suhud and Bambang Triantoro, have helped found the National
Brotherhood Foundation, citing concern about current political
practices which they feared could endanger the nation's unity.

Hartono regretted that the retired military officials were
being too critical of the government.

"We hope that we, who are still active, will not be so
outspoken when we retire," he said.

The Army could not impose any sanctions against the retired
officials, but would only "remind" them through an individual
approach.

In the search for a better understanding between retired and
active military officials, Hartono said the Army headquarters was
planning an integrative meeting between the Army's retired
officials and active senior military officials.

"We are scheduling a meeting between active senior Army
officials with the Army's retired military officials at the
Seskoad," Hartono said.

The Seskoad, located in the West Java town of Bandung, is
known to be very influential in shaping many of the policies of
the Armed Forces.

He denied suggestions that the retired generals would be
"questioned" for their outspokenness.

"No. We are going to ask them to share their opinions and
experiences," he said.

He said such a meeting was not a new thing in the Army.

"We, active military officials, usually conduct discussions
with our predecessors. Yet it is done in an individual capacity,"
he said.

Among the government and military officials who have expressed
concern over the outspokenness of the retired generals were Armed
Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and Coordinating Minister for
Political Affairs and Security Soesilo Soedarman.

Feisal earlier said, without mentioning any names, that some
retired generals were involved in the July 27 riots in the
capital. (imn)