Military renews allegiance to government

Military renews allegiance to government

BOGOR, West Java (JP): Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen.
Ryamizard Ryacudu asserted on Wednesday the Indonesian Military's
(TNI) loyalty to President Abdurrahman Wahid, but admitted it was
not the same case with his predecessor.

Speaking to reporters after a function at a military training
field in Ciampea near here, Ryamizard said, TNI, in particular
troops under his command, was not a potential force that could
wage a coup attempt at present since all its units remained solid
and cohesive.

"We are 99 percent solid. The remaining one percent is up to
God. We stay loyal to our supreme commander President Abdurrahman
Wahid," he said.

He said TNI could have toppled the government of former
president B.J. Habibie over the East Timor issue.

"We were able to stage a coup at that time out of our deep
sorrow that the president wanted to let go of East Timor at the
expense of our sacrifice to keep the territory as part of
Indonesia for years," he said.

Rumors of a military putsch prevailed following Habibie's
decision to approve a self-determination ballot in East Timor.
The Aug. 30 referendum revealed an overwhelming rejection to
Indonesia's wide-ranging autonomy offer.

Then TNI chief Gen. Wiranto denied the speculation.

Ryamizard, the son-in-law of former vice president Try
Sutrisno, said those attempting a coup would have to beat his
troops.

"It is impossible to attempt a coup in Medan, North Sumatra,
or in Papua. It must take place in the city. Then, they have to
ask for my support, or otherwise fight me," he said as quoted by
Antara.

He quickly added: "But until now there are no parties
approaching me to carry out the coup plan."

Rumors of a military coup heated up last week with U.S. senior
diplomat Richard Holbrooke sending a warning to TNI not to topple
Abdurrahman's government. Abdurrahman played down the warning.

More civilian figures expressed their disbelief over rumors of
a military coup, calling them groundless.

"Do not listen to diplomats, generals or whoever from foreign
countries (about the rumor)," People's Consultative Assembly
Speaker Amien Rais said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He said as a sovereign country, the nation should be
independent and cautious in interpreting foreign statements.

Amien called on the public to stop condemning the military,
but to give it a chance to consolidate instead. "In the New Order
era, they (TNI) were a tool of the power holder. With drastic
changes taking place now, we had better stop condemning them," he
said.

Separately, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
said any coup attempted by TNI would not receive popular support.

"That's why TNI will not try to wage a coup," Akbar said after
meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth.

In Yogyakarta, political analyst Cornelis Lay said there was
no other political power strong enough to shake the government of
President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

"There is political friction among Cabinet ministers, but it
won't be able to oust the two figures because they have very
strong grassroots support from more than half of Indonesia's
population," he said. (44/asa/jun)