Military raises old ghosts again

Military raises old ghosts again

JAKARTA: The Indonesia Military (TNI) has made plans to deal
with any attempts to disrupt the 2004 elections, its commander
says.

TNI chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto told reporters on Tuesday
that the military has drafted plans to help the police in dealing
with security disturbances during the elections.

"We always prepare for the worst although it might not happen.
The most important thing is that we are ready to help restore
order and security. If the elections descend into bloodshed, we
hope we will be able to keep the bloodshed to a minimum," he
said.

During the Army's anniversary bash on Monday, Army Chief of
Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said that the military would step in
should the police be unable to deal with disturbances during the
elections.

He rejected suggestions, however, that the military was
planning to stage a coup d'etat during the elections.

More than 12,000 troops attended the anniversary ceremony,
which was held in Kemayoran in Central Jakarta. -- JP