Changes to be made in Soeharto's security
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)