Council's probe result to be announced soon
Council's probe result to be announced soon
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces
(ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto confirmed yesterday he would
announce the result of the Officers Honor Council investigation
into the abductions of political activists next week.
"I have not received the council's recommendation of its
investigation into the abductions of activists. The council
members are still summarizing the result now," he told reporters
after a monthly limited cabinet meeting on political and security
affairs.
"You'll just have to wait for it. I'll announce the result of
the investigation next week," he said.
Secretary to the coordinating minister for political affairs
and security, R. Karyono, told reporters separately that the
announcement would be made by Wiranto at the Armed Forces
headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Monday.
The seven-member council, which met yesterday to formulate its
recommendation, would provide the ABRI commander with suggested
lines of action that could be taken against three Kopassus
officers allegedly involved in the abductions.
The three are Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto (Kopassus commandant-
general from 1996 to 1998), Maj. Gen. Muchdi Purwopranjono, who
succeeded Prabowo in March but was abruptly replaced in May, and
Col. Chairawan, the former Kopassus chief for intelligence
operations.
Council chairman Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo said earlier this
month the council would recommend that Prabowo be court-
martialled, rather than just face an administrative punishment.
Prabowo is the son-in-law of Soeharto. The latter was forced
to resign the presidency in May after months of strong public
pressure.
Apart from the council's investigation, the military has
already announced its plan to court martial 10 lower-ranking
Kopassus personnel for their alleged roles in the abductions.
The kidnappings are believed to have been part of Kopassus
operations to safeguard the People's Consultative Assembly
meeting in March, which saw the reelection of Soeharto for a
seventh presidential term. (imn)