Hartono takes over post of Army deputy chief

JAKARTA (JP): Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono has just taken over the post of Army deputy chief because Let. Gen. F.X. Soedjasmin reached the mandatory retirement age last week, Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Robik Mukav said yesterday.

"The Army headquarters have not decided who will fill Lt. Gen. Soedjasmin's position. The vacant position will be held temporarily by Gen. R. Hartono," Robik said yesterday.

The Army spokesman denied speculation that Soedjasmin's replacement was politically motivated.

"There are no political motives behind the replacement. Lt. Gen. Soedjasmin reached the mandatory retirement age of 55 on Saturday," he said.

The transfer-of-duty ceremony will be held at the Army headquarters tomorrow.

Robik said potential candidates for the post had to be two- star generals.

There are dozens of two-star generals, including commanders of the eight regional military commands, two division commanders of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command, commandant-general of the Army's Special Force, commandant of the Bandung-based Infantry Weapons Center and other generals serving as assistants to the Army Chief of Staff and the Armed Forces Chief.

When asked about the future of incumbent Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono, Robik said President Soeharto had not decided his fate.

"The Army headquarters have not yet received any information on Gen. Hartono's future career. One thing for sure is that the general will celebrate his 56th birthday next Tuesday," he said.

The military's top positions are normally decided by the President, who is the supreme chief of the Armed Forces.

Hartono was a 1962 graduate of the National Military Academy. Born on June 10, 1941, he was supposed to have ended his military career last year, but the President kept him on for another year.

"The Army headquarters have no idea whether the President will issue another decree to keep him in the position for another year," Robik said. (imn)