Military's intelligence bodies criticized for their weakness

JAKARTA (JP): National Defense and Security Council (Wanhankamnas) Secretary-General Lt. Gen. Arifin Tarigan on Thursday criticized the weakness of intelligence bodies in the Indonesian Military (TNI).

In a cautious tone, the three-star general said the shortcoming played a major role in the government's failure to curb rampant unrest in the past.

He paused before praising the powerful intelligence skills of the past -- but offered a qualifier.

"We can say our intelligence was strong (in the past) because there was no enemy at that time," Tarigan said after attending the council plenary meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.

The three-hour meeting was chaired by President B.J. Habibie and attended by several Cabinet members, including Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Wiranto, and Attorney General Lt. Gen. A.M. Ghalib.

Tarigan said the meeting focused on three subjects, including the drafting of the next State Policy Guidelines (GBHN), and in- depth analysis of the prolonged civil chaos.

"We said we were strong probably because there was no enemy at that time," he said solemnly, but journalists attending the media briefing burst into laughter.

When a journalist jokingly asked him for further comment, he responded with the same sober demeanor: "I think all of us know that, whether we admit it or not, it is up to everybody (to judge)."

Perhaps realizing his statement could offend intelligence officials, Tarigan added that the whirlwind of social problems may have caught intelligence officials off-guard.

"We may be as powerful as we were in the past, but the enemies have become more forceful now. So do not misunderstand us (and think) that we are weak."

The general became visibly irritated when a female reporter asked him to produce examples to support his criticism of the intelligence bodies.

He then read from a document so quickly that none of the reporters could write it down or understand what he said.

"Do you understand now what I mean?" he asked, again with a serious expression. (prb)