Military's antiterrorism squads undergo specialty training

Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said on Thursday that the military was conducting rigorous training sessions for its servicemen, who may be included in the planned antiterror squad in a bid to help the National Police to prevent and tackle terrorism in the country.

Speaking to journalists at the military's headquarters, Endriartono said that when the antiterror squad was in place, he would order and deploy the squad to clamp down on terrorist actions on land, on sea, and in the air immediately after the police or the president asked him to do so.

"It is the police's responsibility and authority to guarantee the public security and order but there is a legal ruling that requires us to give a hand in times of need," he said.

His dismissed critics who expressed their reservations over the establishment of the antiterror squad by TNI.

If not under proper civilian control, such an antiterror squad could be misused to intimidate people, similar to the abuses during former president Soeharto's administration when the Army's Special Force Kopassus abducted pro-democracy activists, critics said.

Currently, it is only Kopassus which has a counter-terror squad.

Endriartono, nevertheless, said that members of the military's antiterror squad would come from Kopassus as well as from the Navy's Marines and the Air Force's Special Force (Paskhas).

Endriartono said Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil was checking the preparations in each squad to combat terrorism, then, he would decide whether TNI would have only one antiterror squad or let each of its forces have their own antiterror unit.

When each of TNI's forces have their own antiterror unit, they would tackle terrorist acts based on their areas of specialty. For example, plane hijackings would be tackled by the Air Force's antiterror squad, ship hijackings by the Navy and hostage rescue by the Army.

"But it is also possible to deploy the three squads at the same time for certain terrorist acts," he said.

Endriartono, nevertheless, declined to reveal the size of each squad.

He also said that the training of candidates did not involve foreign countries in terms of financial or technical assistance.

On the occasion, Endriartono also pleaded with the public not to prejudge the military nor certain groups before the police announced the perpetrators of the terror attack in Bali that killed more than 190 people, mostly foreigners.

"I suggest that anyone who has a relationship with any possible perpetrators should refrain from anger at security officials who are trying to stop all terrorists and their support networks," he said.

Endriartono also took the time to deny speculation on the possibility of military involvement in the Bali bombings.

"There were many servicemen on duty in different parts of the country, including Bali, when the incidents happened but I'm responsible for their presence and can prove that they have nothing to do with the bombings. If it is proven that there were servicemen involved, they will be shot between the eyes," he said.

He was specifically referring to reports that linked the presence of Army chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu in Bali and TNI's Joint Staff and Command School chief Lt. Gen Djaja Suparman with the bombings.

Endriartono said that Ryamizard went to Bali with his family for medical treatment on Oct. 12 and returned to Jakarta the next day.

He added that Djaja was accompanying the students of the school who were doing their apprenticeship program between Sept. 15 and Sept. 21.

Previously, Ryamizard clarified his presence in Bali to the media.

Endriartono, however, said that it was beyond his ability to control the activities of retired military officers.

Endriartono also pleaded with the public not to worry that the military would come to power again because the civilian leadership had tight control over the military.

"We work based on laws. We will be obedient if the law says that the military is forbidden to join politics or no longer has any place in the next election or seats in the legislature," he said.