Military to stage war games in restive regency of Poso

Military to stage war games in restive regency of Poso

Badri Djawara, The Jakarta Post, Palu

The Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force will stage joint war
games exercises in Poso, Central Sulawesi, according to military
officials, who added that the drills will take place irrespective
of ongoing strife in the area.

"There will be no military operations in Poso," Chief of the
Army's Strategic and Reserve Command Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu
said here Sunday; they are strictly normal, he added, and take
place twice a year.

"I came here only to survey the field for the military
exercise which must be separated from the planned security
restoration operation in the regency," he told reporters at the
Mutiara Airport, just before leaving the province after a two-day
visit.

He added that the joint exercise will be under the supervision
of local police, and military command.

In addition, Ryamizard said such exercises of the joint
Reactive Deployment Strike Force (PPRC) have already taken place
in Soroako, Kalimantan and Irian Jaya, and will be carried out in
North Sulawesi next year.

PPRC comprises the Army Strategic and Reserve Command
(Kostrad) and the task forces from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The force is equipped with airborne infantry, seaborne vessels,
and spy planes.

During his visit, Ryamizard was accompanied by Army special
force commander Maj. Gen. Amirul Isnaeni and his subordinates
Maj. Gen. Maparepa and Maj. Gen. Djoko Santoso, among others. The
high-ranking officers were guided by host Tadulok military
commander Col. Suwahyuhadji.

Addressing questions about whether the visiting top brass will
find the defense pouches of the embattled locals, Ryamizard said
that such pouches do not exist.

"The region is divided into two: the white group or Muslims
who occupy Poso, while the red group, or Christians, occupy
Tentena," he said.