Battalion not to go to Aceh

Battalion not to go to Aceh

KARAWANG, West Java (JP): The Army's Strategic Reserves
Command (Kostrad) chief, Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, said on
Thursday that he would cancel the deployment of its Airborne
Infantry Battalion 501 to Aceh following the deadly clash with
police officers in Madiun, East Java.

"The troops had originally been prepared for deployment to the
strife-torn province next month, but the plan has been dropped as
they were involved in the clash -- partly caused by stress,"
Ryamizard told reporters after inducting about 1,270 new Kostrad
soldiers.

"The battalion returned several months ago from Maluku, where
they were involved in helping to settle the prolonged sectarian
conflict there. It's just not good for them. They need more than
six months to be with their families before being assigned to
another troubled place," Ryamizard said.

As reported earlier, hundreds of members of Battalion 501 were
involved in a fatal clash on Saturday with Madiun police that
also resulted in the death of three teenagers.

Soon after the clash, Ryamizard discharged 13 members of the
battalion (not 22 as previously reported), including the
battalion chief Maj. Komistin Hadirin and his deputy Maj.
Nurcholid.

Komistin was still in Aceh making preparations for the
deployment of his battalion, which would have consisted of 400
soldiers, when the incident happened.

"The dismissal of the chiefs is required as they are incapable
of handling their troops. Of course my troops must have esprit de
corps, but most important of all is how to manage, control and
motivate them. Such a dismissal is the most severe sanction I can
impose on my subordinates that fail to carry out their job well,"
Ryamizard said.

Ryamizard further said that he would suggest that Army Chief
of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto prepare other troops should the
Indonesian Military (TNI) wish to send more to Aceh.

Responding to the evaluation of discipline among Kostrad
troops, Ryamizard disclosed that during his tenure, he had
dismissed at least eight Kostrad personnel each month for
different reasons -- desertion, indiscipline and immoral
behavior.

"Thus, you can calculate that in total I have dismissed about
100 soldiers during the time I have led this force since August
last year. I must be firm in order to maintain discipline,"
Ryamizard said. (tso)