Military promotes 23 high-ranking officers

JAKARTA (JP): Twenty-three high-ranking military officers were promoted on Thursday in a ceremony presided over by Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo Adisucipto at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

The promotion was a deserving reward for the officers' dedication and loyalty, Widodo said in his remarks.

"Consequently, you should uphold TNI's pride. This is important as the nation is now in trouble and TNI is expected to help solve the matters thoroughly through careful, accurate and well-planned steps," he said.

The military has been accused of human rights violations and atrocities in several areas in the country.

In Thursday's modest ceremony, four officers were promoted to lieutenant generals, nine were made major generals and 10 appointed brigadier generals.

Among them were Commander of the Army's School and Training Lt. Gen. Sumardi, chief of the TNI Command School Lt. Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command Lt. Gen. Djadja Suparman and the inspector general of the defense ministry, Lt. Gen. (Mar.) Suharto.

Others named included Operational Assistant to the Navy Chief of Staff Rear Adm. Fred Salem Lonan, Logistics Assistant to TNI's Chief of General Affairs Maj. Gen. Tabrie, chief of Trikora Military Command overseeing Irian Jaya Maj. Gen. Albert Inkiriwang, chief of the marine corps Maj. Gen. Harry Triono, and Maj. Soemadi, who is an expert staff of the defense minister. (emf)