Book says Habibie close to declaring war
Book says Habibie close to declaring war
JAKARTA (JP): Former president B.J. Habibie came close to
declaring war against Australia over East Timor, according to a
recently released book.
In his biography, launched on Thursday night, former
coordinating minister for political affairs and security Gen.
(ret.) Feisal Tanjung described how Habibie was angered by a
statement made by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan
which gave Indonesia 48 hours to restore order in East Timor or
else a multinational force would take over.
"Responding to the statement, president Habibie said it
offended his pride and the republic's sovereignty," Feisal writes
in his book entitled "Terbaik Untuk Rakyat Terbaik Bagi ABRI"
(The Best for the People the Best for the Armed Forces).
The biography was released to celebrate Feisal's 60th birthday
which fell on June 17.
Among those present at the book launching were Feisal's
successor Gen. Wiranto, new TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S., Army
chief of staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Navy chief Adm. Achmad
Sutjipto and National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi, Antara
reported.
Feisal said Habibie told Kofi Annan Indonesia would take any
risks, including war, if Australian troops aboard warships 12
miles off Indonesian waters alighted in East Timor.
"If we have to go to war our nation will stake everything it
has, because East Timor remains part of us. Our country loves
peace but loves freedom and sovereignty more," Habibie said as
quoted by Feisal.
The UN warned Indonesia after it declared martial law in East
Timor on Sept. 7 in an attempt to quell the violence that had
devastated the former Portuguese territory after its people voted
for independence in the UN-supervised ballot on Aug. 30.
Habibie finally accepted the UN's plan to dispatch
multinational peacekeepers led by Australia on Sept. 12, upon
Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto's
recommendation. The peacekeeping force took over the authority to
restore order and security on Sept. 27.
Rumors over a military coup circulated in Jakarta at the time
Indonesia changed its stance on the peacekeeping force.
In his book Feisal also makes known his opinion on former
president Soeharto's choice of Habibie as his vice presidential
running mate last year.
Feisal said he recommended Soeharto pick Habibie, who
eventually took over after a wave of students demonstrations
brought Soeharto down. (amd)