Habibie alerts ABRI to radicals

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)