Kopassus repairing its tarnished image

JAKARTA (JP): The Army's Special Force (Kopassus) marked on Friday its 47th anniversary with promises to undertake reform in order to repair its tarnished image, but refused to spell out the measures.

Maj. Gen. Syahrir M.S., the commandant general of the red beret corps, eleven of whose members recently stood trial for abducting political activists, said the force was engaged in introspective measures and was opening itself to criticism in order to "purify" the identity of its personnel.

"Kopassus is consolidating itself and has made important steps to improve its image and performance," Syahrir said in a ceremony marking the anniversary at its headquarters in Cijantung, East Jakarta.

"This is in order to adjust to the new paradigm of the Armed Forces," he said, adding the consolidation covered all fields in the force including equipment, training and education systems.

He did not provide details of the reform program, but said: "We have made many changes in all fields".

Established in 1952, Kopassus made its mark during a number of operations to crush separatism in West Kalimantan, Maluku, Irian Jaya, East Timor and Aceh.

Attending the Friday ceremony were former vice president Try Sutrisno, former minister of defense Gen. (ret) L.B. Moerdani, governor of the National Resilience Institution Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar and Chief of Army Strategic Reserve Command Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.

Apart from Moerdani and Agum, former Kopassus chiefs in attendance were Col. (ret) K.W. Kawilarang, Lt. Gen. (ret) Kuntara, Lt. Gen. (ret) Tarub, Lt. Gen. (ret) Sintong Panjaitan, Lt. Gen. (ret) Yogie S. Memet and Maj. Gen. Muhdi Prandjono.

Notably absent was former chief Lt. Gen. (ret) Prabowo Subianto, during whose leadership the eleven corps members committed the abductions. Following an investigation, Prabowo was honorable discharged from the military.

Syahrir said Prabowo was invited to the ceremony, adding he had not received any explanation for the latter's non-attendance at the function.

Tarub, who led Kopassus from 1992 through 1993, said the corps should review its training program to repair its tarnished image and to regain people's confidence in the elite force.

"Kopassus must return to the original role it has played to maintain national unity. Kopassus is being challenged to make a contribution to the nation, which is now facing disintegration," he said.

Try said he was optimistic the planned general election would proceed in accordance to schedule.

"All necessary preparations are being made... And I am quite hopeful that the elections will proceed fairly and freely," he said when asked to comment about former president Soeharto's recent statement that the polls may need to be postponed.

Try stressed the election's importance, saying it was a gate through which the nation could proceed to true democracy and to the establishment of a democratic government. (rms)