DKP opens probe on officers' role in abductions

DKP opens probe on officers' role in abductions

JAKARTA (JP): The Officers Honor Council began its
investigation yesterday into the allegedly involvement of
officers and soldiers of the Army's special force (Kopassus) in
the abductions and torture of political activists.

The first hearing of the seven-member council, led by Army
Chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, was held at the Army headquarters
on Jl. Veteran in Central Jakarta. It took the council six hours
to question officers allegedly involved in the case.

There was no official statement about how the session
proceeded or which of the three senior officers under
investigation appeared before the council yesterday.

"I cannot tell you the result or who among the three (senior)
Kopassus officers testified before the council members today. The
session was closed not only to the press but also to me," Army
spokesman Brig. Gen. I Dewa Putu Rai told reporters after the
session finished.

He said he did not know when the next session would be held.

The three senior officers are former Kopassus commandants-
general Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto and Maj. Gen. Muchdi
Purwopranjono, and Col. Chairawan, the former chief of Kopassus
Group IV which deals with intelligence operations.

An officer on guard at the headquarters said that Prabowo,
Muchdi and Chairawan arrived in the morning in regular-plated
vehicles.

American expert in Indonesian politics William Liddle
dismissed speculation that the Armed Forces (ABRI) formed the
Officers Honor Council under pressure from the United States.

"Yes, (U.S. Defense Minister) William Cohen had just visited
Indonesia, but the establishment of the council and the
investigation of Prabowo and other high-ranking Kopassus officers
are another matter," he was quoted by Antara as saying in New
York.

He believed the council was set up by ABRI in an effort to
"cleanse" itself, and restore its reputation abroad. He admitted
that Cohen's statement in Jakarta that Washington urged the
government to investigate the alleged involvement of Kopassus
officers in the abduction of political activists might have
influenced ABRI.

Ultimately, however, it was ABRI who made the decision, he
said.

He pointed out that Cohen's statement was by no means new as
American President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright had both conveyed the same message earlier.

He cited the American public's concern about whether the
involved Kopassus officers had been trained in the U.S. under a
bilateral cooperation agreement.

People objected if their military cooperation assistance with
other countries was used in the abuse of human rights, he said.

"It would be embarrassing for the Americans if American-
trained officers are involved in human rights violations because
Americans are major human rights campaigners," he said.

Support

Praise and support for the council came from a number of
observers yesterday. Criminologist Mulyana W. Kusumah said in
Yogyakarta the establishment of the council was proof of the
courage and responsiveness of ABRI leaders.

However, the council was only one step forward and should be
followed by a military tribunal. In addition, even though the
council's work was an internal affair, it should be done
transparently.

"If it's possible, please inform the public (about the
investigation) so they won't remain in confusion," he said.

He also suggested that the council be entrusted with the task
of investigating the May shooting of Trisakti University students
in Jakarta, the rioting and other "important cases".

"This is important to restore the credibility of ABRI, which
had been tainted," Mulyana said in Bandung.

He dismissed calls for former president Soeharto and Gen.
(ret) Feisal Tanjung -- who were then ABRI supreme commander and
ABRI commander respectively -- to also be held accountable.
"Those calls were political in nature. But for a criminal
investigation, it should be clear what causes certain crimes," he
said.

A former chief of the now-defunct internal security agency
Kopkamtib, Sudomo, also supported the council's investigation.
"All violators of the law, be they the military or civilian, must
face sanction," he was quoted by Antara as saying. "We are all
humiliated by the case, and the good name of the unit must be
restored."

He said he was convinced the abductions were committed under
orders from senior parties within ABRI.

Military observer Rizal M. Panggabean doubted the council
would be able to work effectively and honestly. The chairman of
the Center for Security and Peace Studies at Gadjah Mada
University in Yogyakarta said yesterday that in the past, such a
council usually failed to solve cases of rights violations.

"I doubt a military tribunal can do this job, much less the
council, (the mission of which) will only find an out of court
solution," he said.

He said what had occurred were kidnappings, torture and even
murders of civilians by military personnel. "The council or the
military tribunal may try military personnel when the case does
not involve civilians, for instance clashes among units.

"In this case, the victims were civilians. I doubt the rights
of the victims would be defended fairly," he said.

"Those officers should be brought before a civilian court,
instead, so trials can proceed fairly," he said. (43/44/swe)