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)