Military leaders hold hearing with House

Military leaders hold hearing with House

JAKARTA (JP): In a show of unity amid moves to involve them in
the ongoing conflict between politicians, senior Indonesian
Military (TNI) officials attended on Tuesday a hearing with the
House of Representatives (DPR) Commission I.

Attending the meeting were all senior commanders: TNI Chief
Adm. Widodo Adi Sutjipto, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono
Sutarto, Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono and Air
Force Chief of Staff Marshal Hanafie Asnan. TNI Chief of General
Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago and TNI Chief of Territorial
Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjaja were also present.

The hearing came a week after the same House commission for
defense, foreign and political affairs spoke with National Police
Chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro and gave him their support following
his suspension by President Abdurrahman Wahid.

The TNI leaders' attendance at the House also comes hot on the
heels of reports alleging that the President plans a major
reshuffle within the military hierarchy.

Many observers link the shake-up with the military's
opposition to the embattled President's intention to declare a
state of emergency, a move which would enable him to dissolve the
House.

After formal talks regarding security affairs in the lead-up
to the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR), which is scheduled to begin on Aug. 1, Widodo reiterated
the TNI's disagreement with the President's proposal to declare a
state of emergency, saying it was not the only solution to the
ongoing political impasse.

"Such a decree to declare a state of emergency is not the only
answer to the crises the nation is facing. We, the TNI, will only
obey the constitutional and legal mechanisms," he said.

He asserted that the solution to the crisis depends heavily on
the participation of all segments of the nation, not only the
TNI.

"All components of the nation should contribute to the problem
solving efforts, instead of fighting for their own interests," he
said.

In facing the mounting tension between the President and the
House, Widodo said the military has pledged to remain neutral.

"The MPR, as the highest state institution, should seek a
peaceful solution to the conflict in accordance with the
Constitution," he said.

Widodo also dismissed reports of changes in the TNI leadership
and implied that the President could not order a reshuffle in the
military leadership arbitrarily because the institution had its
own mechanisms relating to such matters.

"The military will comply with MPR Decree No. 7/2000, which
stipulates that any replacement of TNI senior officers must gain
approval from the House," he said.

He admitted that the President has the authority to replace
armed forces chiefs of staff, but said such a decision should be
made upon a recommendation by the TNI commander.

Both Endriartono and Djamari confirmed that so far there had
been no meeting to discuss a reshuffle in the military.

"The TNI rank and promotion council has recently held a
meeting to seek a two-star Army officer to replace the Siliwangi
Military commander, who is approaching his mandatory retirement
age," he said, referring to Maj. Gen. Zainuri.

Army spokesman Brig. Gen. FX Bachtiar had previously said that
other than Zainuri, Military Academy Governor Maj. Gen. Noor Aman
and personnel assistant to the Army Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen.
Suprapto, were preparing for their retirement. (rms)