Changes to be made in Soeharto's security

JAKARTA (JP): The special presidential security detachment guarding Soeharto will be disbanded Monday, with protection for the former president to be assigned to a team from the Jakarta Military Command.

The 540-strong force from Group A of the Presidential Security Guard (PASPAMPRES) will be dissolved and the soldiers returned to their original units.

Presidential Security Guard Commander Maj. Gen. E. Soetarto said yesterday Soeharto would still receive the appropriate security protection required by state protocol.

Soetarto indicated the decision to dissolve the unit was based on efficiency concerns.

He pointed out it would be a ineffective to assign such highly trained soldiers when there was no acute threat.

"They have superior combat capability because we have a special force trained to safeguard VVIPs, so it is regrettable if we let such an outstanding unit be 'jobless'," Soetarto said after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Bina Graha presidential office.

The 1,600-strong Presidential Security Guard command -- consisting of troops from various units such as the Military Police, Army's Special Force and Strategic Reserves Command -- is categorized into three groups.

Group A was assigned to protect Soeharto since he assumed the presidency, Group B is in charge of the vice president and group C for state guests.

Group A, the most powerful of the three, continued serving Soeharto although he handed over power to his vice president Habibie on May 21.

Habibie elected to have Group B remain in service with him, saying he felt more comfortable with the arrangement.

Soeharto will also lose his three colonel adjutants from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The former president's six children and grandchildren also enjoyed the privilege of security protection.

Sources said Soeharto visited PASPAMPRES headquarters on Jl. Tanah Abang II, Central Jakarta, last week for Friday prayers at the mosque there.

Reports circulated that Habibie was upset because he was not informed prior to the visit.

"It is not true that the President was furious about the visit," a palace official said.

Separately yesterday, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman said he had yet to make formal preparations about the security detachment for Soeharto.

"I have no real proposals yet on the new formation... But we are ready when we are appointed for the task," Djaja said. (prb/ivy)