Military's neutrality 'still rhetoric': Observer

Military's neutrality 'still rhetoric': Observer

SURABAYA (JP): A former high-ranking military officer said on
Wednesday the Armed Forces' neutrality this year should not be
taken for granted because it may discreetly side with its long-
standing ally the Golkar Party.

Former assistant for sociopolitical affairs to the Armed
Forces chief of sociopolitical affairs, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Suwarno
Adiwidjojo, termed "still rhetoric" the repeated statements of
the military's neutrality.

Now a member of the National Mandate Party (PAN) advisory
board, Suwarno said: "The public still waits real action and a
guarantee from the Armed Forces (regarding its neutrality). If
TNI is no longer neutral, people will widely protest."

Suwarno was referring to "Tentara Nasional Indonesia", the
original term for the Armed Forces which has been recommended for
reintroduction following separation of the police from the
military on April 1. The government has yet to decide on the
appropriate term.

Suwarno said the "big family" of the Armed Forces had not
declared its neutrality or whether members were free to choose a
party. In past elections, Golkar counted on votes from the
military, including police, and civil servants.

The compulsory Civil Servants Corps (Korpri) has stated that
members are free to make their own party choices.

Suwarno was speaking after addressing a party function.

He added that organizations affiliated to the military and
Golkar, such as the Communication Forum of Indonesian Veterans'
Children (FKPPI) and the organization of military members' wives
Dharma Pertiwi, would likely retain support for Golkar. "How
could the father be neutral if their wives and offspring must
support that party?" Suwarno said.

Only the veterans' association, Pepabri, chaired by former
vice president Try Sutrisno has stated its neutrality. Try is
known as a supporter of the Justice and Unity Party set up by
former senior Golkar members, including former defense minister
Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat.

Suwarno underlined the military's neutrality was difficult to
assume because Golkar named Minister of Defense and
Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto as one of its
presidential candidates.

Golkar stated one of its criteria was that candidates had
experience in the Cabinet.

Wiranto's nomination, Suwarno said, clearly indicated Golkar's
wish for discreet support from the military.

Canceled

From Semarang it was reported that Golkar's plan to hold a
meeting with cadres involving chairman Akbar Tandjung was
canceled -- not because of many protests, but because of "more
important duties" in Jakarta, Golkar's chairman of its Solo
chapter, Yusuf Hidayat said.

However Akbar, also the Minister/State Secretary, is slated to
attend Koran reading sessions with Golkar cadres in Boyolali and
Ambarawa, Central Java, on April 16 and 17. The latter date is
the Islamic New Year.

Freddy Soroinsong, the Surakarta chairman of the Pemuda
Pancasila (PP) youth organization known to be affiliated to
Golkar, said he rejected to help secure the Golkar function,
because PP was now independent.

Separately in Yogyakarta political lecturer Cornelis Lay
said the General Elections Commission and the Elections
Supervisory Committee should take action against Golkar chairman
Akbar Tandjung.

Akbar, he said, was conducting a disguised campaign which the
Commission has ruled against. Absence of action against Golkar
would invite more violence against the party, he said.

Meanwhile the Pemalang regency branch of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) has lodged a
complaint concerning Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.

They protested to the local council Akbar's statement aired by
private television channels in which he blamed an attack on the
Pemalang Golkar office on PDI Perjuangan. On April 8, the Golkar
office was attacked and vandalized by about 40 people in plain
clothes. Akbar's comments were based on reports two days later
from Golkar executives in Pemalang.

Golkar Pemalang official Kumpul Sutrisno said Akbar should
apologize to the party in a broadcast on the same private
channels which aired his allegations.

Pemalang Police chief Lt. Col. Isnarno said police were still
investigating the incident. Three people questioned over
involvement denied being PDI Perjuangan members, he said.
Golkar's office remained closed on Wednesday due to fears of
another attack.

In an advertising discussion in Jakarta, an industry executive
said parties should create advertisements offering concrete
information on their program.

Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Advertising Agencies
Yusca Ismail said the few parties using advertisements "only
expose their brand image". (nur/45/har/edt/44)