Military denies orchestrating unrest

Military denies orchestrating unrest

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) opened its
annual leadership meeting yesterday deflecting allegations that
it was orchestrating unrest for political or tactical gain or to
divert attention from the country's economic turmoil.

"That's untrue," spokesman Brig. Gen. A. Wahab Mokodongan told
reporters when asked if the unrest was a ploy to divert attention
from the economic crisis and next month's presidential election.
"We don't indulge in diversion acts."

Riots sparked by price hikes and shortages of essential goods
have broken out in several cities over the past two weeks. Some
parties have alleged the unrest has been orchestrated to divert
attention from the real problems facing Indonesia.

Wahab also dismissed speculation that Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Wiranto was a sure replacement for incumbent ABRI Commander Gen.
Feisal Tanjung.

"Commander Gen. Feisal Tanjung will surely be replaced," was
all Wahab said after the opening at the ABRI headquarters in
Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

"However, President Soeharto has not decided who will replace
the incumbent chief and when the transfer-of-duty will take
place," he said.

Feisal, 58, passed the mandatory retirement age of 55 in 1994.
Soeharto retained him but it is usual for the Armed Forces
commander to be replaced in the run-up to the General Session of
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which is next month.
The body is in charge of electing a president, vice president and
endorsing the new state policy guidelines.

Wahab stressed that "only the President" knew and that ABRI
hoped he would let his preference be known by the end of the
leadership meeting tomorrow.

As the Armed Forces' supreme commander, the President has the
prerogative to appoint the Armed Forces commander, several high-
ranking positions in the headquarters and the commanders of the
ABRI's four branches -- the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the
National Police Corps.

Wahab dismissed speculation that the post of Armed Forces
commander automatically belonged to the Army chief of staff,
citing that Feisal had been the chief of general affairs when he
was appointed ABRI commander in 1994.

Unconfirmed reports are circulating that Wiranto may soon get
the top post and that he will be inaugurated by President
Soeharto on Feb. 16. However, the Armed Forces Chief of
Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Yunus Yosfiah has also been
mentioned as a possibility.

Yunus, 53, is a 1965 graduate of the National Military
Academy, while Wiranto, 50, graduated from the same Academy in
1968. The two men have become known as leaders of the new breed
of professional ABRI officers committed to national unity.

Wahab conceded that Wiranto had often been named as a possible
ABRI commander.

"However, there is no guarantee that Gen. Wiranto will become
the next commander ... because President Soeharto may suddenly
change his mind and turn to somebody else," Wahab said.

Speaking about the leadership meeting's main agenda, Wahab
said it would discuss the Armed Forces' final preparations for
the MPR session, scheduled for March 1 through March 11.

He dismissed speculation the meeting would discuss the Armed
Forces' candidate for the vice presidency. He said ABRI would
disclose its candidate only in the MPR's general assembly.

Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat, Minister of
Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., Minister of Finance Mar'ie
Muhammad and State Minister of National Development Planning
Ginandjar Kartasasmita addressed the leadership meeting
yesterday.

The meeting also features Chief of the Armed Forces
Intelligence Agency Maj. Gen. Zacky Anwar Makarim, Armed Forces
Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Tarub and Armed Forces Chief of
Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Yunus Yosfiah. (imn)