Military to keep out of politics, say top TNI brass

Military to keep out of politics, say top TNI brass

JAKARTA (JP): Top Indonesian Military (TNI) brass have again
warned that they would reject any top level reshuffle in the
military command if it was geared toward particular political
purposes, such as forming political alliances.

Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Willem da Costa warned
that the Army would not object to a replacement of the Army
command if it was part of a routine tour of duty. He said the
Army did not wish to see a new commander who would be politically
oriented.

Antara reported that Willem's statement in Denpasar, Bali, on
Tuesday came during a briefing with journalists to answer
questions amid mounting rumors that President Abdurrahman Wahid
would replace Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto with
another general who held political links with the President.

Willem's remarks further underlines the Army's position of
rejecting a political appointee amid the political impasse
between the President, Vice President and the House of
Representatives.

The affirmations indicate the position taken by senior Army
officers following a meeting of regional military commanders from
throughout the country and senior ranking Army officers who
gathered in Bandung, West Java, on Monday night.

While claiming that the political impasse was not specifically
discussed during the Bandung meeting, Willem said military
commanders were of the understanding that the military should not
repeat the mistake of being caught up in the political
battlefield.

He said the generals would reject a commander who tended to be
more concerned with politics than state defense.

He added that there was also a determined consensus to prevent
the military from being used as a political tool by any group.

He said the meeting agreed that military officers who wished
to delve into practical politics should leave the service.

"In other words, there should be no active military members
involved in practical politics."

Nevertheless, Willem also pointed out that the Army would
respect the President's authority in making such appointments.

The role of the military, particularly the Army, remains an
important factor as politicians tussle amid the presidential
crisis.

Endriartono asserted on Monday that the Army would not support
a declaration of a national state of emergency that would give
leeway for the President to issue a decree to dissolve the House.

Army Strategic Reserves Command Chief Lt. Gen. Ryamizard
Ryacudu also said the Army would reject political appointees in
their ranks.

Both officers were also present during the meeting in
Bandung.(02)