Gen. Wiranto apologizes for shootings

Gen. Wiranto apologizes for shootings

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces formally apologized for the
fatal shooting of four Trisakti University students on Tuesday
and said that three soldiers were killed when rioting erupted in
many parts of Jakarta yesterday.

Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander
Gen. Wiranto also insisted that despite yesterday's and the
previous day's rampages, Jakarta remained under the control of
the military and there was no need to impose a curfew.

Wiranto conveyed his apology at a media briefing held at ABRI
headquarters in Central Jakarta yesterday. The commanders of the
four elements which constitute the Armed Forces -- Gen. Subagyo
Hadisiswoyo of the Army, Admiral Arief Kushariadi of the Navy,
Marshall Sutria Tubagus of the Air Force, and Gen. Dibyo Widodo
of the National Police -- also attended the briefing.

ABRI Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Fachrul Razi, ABRI
Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono, and ABRI spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan were
also present.

Wiranto said: "ABRI is really concerned and regrets Tuesday's
incident. It should not have happened."

"We would like to express our sympathy for the students'
reform movement," he said, adding ABRI had not intended to stand
opposite the students.

Earlier in the day, Wiranto said in Malang, East Java, that
ABRI had never issued instructions to shoot people at
demonstrations.

"There was never any such instruction here nor, I think, in
other countries. If one was made, then it was a mistake and a
misunderstanding that should be corrected," he was quoted by
Antara as saying after overseeing a transfer of duty for the Army
quick reaction task force (PRRC).

He cited how, on the one hand, students wanted to conduct
street protests, while ABRI was worried that any such move could
lead to rioting.

He also noted that student demands for political and economic
reforms were actually in line with the government's wish.

"I appeal to all of you. What are we fighting in the streets
and on the campuses for?" he added.

He maintained that ABRI will continue to take firm action
against those involved in ransacking, looting and other
destructive actions.

"I call on the rioters and other parties taking advantage of
the chaotic situation to stop. ABRI will not hesitate to take
serious measures against those proven to have violated the law,"
he said.

Crippled

He denied that the rioting had crippled Jakarta, or that the
situation had forced him to issue a shoot on the spot order
against rioters.

"As you can see, people are still free to move around the
city" he said, adding that he had no power to persuade foreign
missions here to adopt his confident outlook for the security of
expatriates remaining in Jakarta.

There have been reports that foreign missions have started to
prepare for possible evacuations of their nationals here.

"ABRI may have a different view from them, but ABRIs judgment
of the situation, which is accurate, tells us that Jakarta is
still under control," he said.

"The mobs moved very quickly and sporadically," Wiranto
admitted, adding that to handle the situation in Jakarta, ABRI
has deployed 101 task force units.

"If necessary, we can send for additional forces from other
regions," he said.

ABRI has no intentions other than to maintain order and
security, and to protect the people, he said, adding that the
military was responsible for maintaining public spirits,
especially during bad times.

Separately, Jakarta Military Commander Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
during an inspection of military personnel told soldiers to
firmly uphold order but warned them to distinguish rioters and
regular people.

"Bring peace to the community, give help to people who need
it ... If you see people having difficulty getting transportation
to get home, go down (from your vehicle) and assist them," he
said.

"Do not act alone, do not hesitate. Follow all the procedures
that apply," Sjafrie remarked adding that swift action must be
taken against looters.

He also warned that there were efforts to pit Armed Forces
personnel against the other, "we do not want to see that happen."
(imn/swe/ivy)