Habibie alerts ABRI to radicals

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie alerted the Armed Forces (ABRI) during the celebration of its 53rd anniversary on Monday to the threat from small radical and revolutionary movements conducting unconstitutional actions in the name of reform.

He ordered the military to take proactive measures to counter the groups.

The President said several leaders of the revolutionary groups, whom he did not identify, had planned and carried out destructive and unconstitutional actions in an attempt to force their will upon society.

"Slowly, there is a trend among some small groups in society that shows the emergence of seeds of radical and revolutionary movements which claim to speak and act for the reform movement," Habibie said in his address at ABRI Cilangkap headquarters in East Jakarta.

The simple ceremony, held for the first time at headquarters as a cost-saving measure, was traditionally conducted at the East Senayan Parking Lot, South Jakarta. It was held once on the Jagorawi toll road in the early 1980s.

The President, who is ABRI supreme commander, expressed hope that "the purity of the nation's current reform campaign can be safeguarded so that it will not be tarnished by the maneuvers of radical and revolutionary groups".

Habibie was accompanied during the ceremony by Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Widodo A.S, Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Marshall Hanafie Asnan and National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi.

"Such steps and stance are needed so actions and movements by individuals or groups openly working to create an uncontrollable, unsafe and unstable situation, can be halted," Habibie remarked.

The ceremony was the first time in 32 years that ABRI did not have Soeharto, the former president, as its anniversary ceremony inspector.

Soeharto and former minister of security and defense Gen. (ret) Abdul Haris Nasution, who was recently hospitalized, were absent from the ceremony. Both were awarded honorary five-star general status last year.

"We realize that if we cannot resolve the economic and political problems as best as possible, it will be very harmful for the continuation of development and for national resilience," Habibie noted.

ABRI personnel are expected to reach 517,901 soldiers for the 1998/1999 fiscal year, including 198,000 police personnel.

The police will be separated from ABRI and temporarily put under the control of the Ministry of Defense and Security.

"The nation's efforts to overcome the crisis and continue with reform must succeed, without their being exploited by any third parties," he noted.

Habibie, reminding ABRI about the need to readjust its position to anticipate rapid changes in society, also praised proactive measures taken by its leaders.

"We all happily welcome and give our highest appreciation to ABRI which is redefining, repositioning and renewing its roles in the nation's life."

Although the President arrived at the venue on time, the ceremony began about 45 minutes later than its scheduled 8 a.m. opening due to a heavy downpour.

After the ceremony, Habibie posed for photographers and briefly talked to journalists.

He praised Wiranto's leadership and said previous ABRI leaders would naturally expect him to perform better than they had.

"It's been part of all leaders' expectations that leaders of younger generation must be better than them."

Habibie then gave Wiranto a salutory kiss on both cheeks and hugged him before he entered his car.

Present at the ceremony were members of the Reform Development Cabinet, former vice president Try Sutrisno and former minister of defense Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat.

Among others in attendance were ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, noted human rights lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution and economist Rizal Ramli.

Commenting on Soeharto's absence from the ceremony, Wiranto said the former president had sent a written reply informing he could not attend and congratulating ABRI on its anniversary.

"The most important thing is, however, that he (Soeharto) supported the event and sent his regards to ABRI."

He said similar notification was also sent by Nasution.

Megawati said the crisis should yield positive impact on ABRI's recognition of its security and sociopolitical roles.

"ABRI is part of Indonesian history. ABRI must always be aware of it," she told reporters after the ceremony. (imn/prb)