Move to stop paramilitary training gains support

Move to stop paramilitary training gains support

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono voiced his full support
on Wednesday for all efforts conducted by the National Police to
maintain security in the capital and other regions.

"I urge all parties to restrain themselves in responding to
political developments. I also ask those involved in paramilitary
training, which will only provoke violence, to stop," Susilo told
reporters on the sidelines of a discussion on the security and
political condition in Indonesia, held by the International
Council on World Affairs (ICWA).

He said that, during a routine breakfast at Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri's residence on Wednesday, the security
authorities agreed that all parties should look for a peaceful
solution to the country's political problems.

Separately, in Ciampea, Bogor, Army Chief of Staff Gen.
Endriartono Sutarto said the Army was ready to support the
National Police to quell rioters, including the ready-to-die NU
members who are threatening to carry out a jihad to defend the
President.

"The Army will take all measures to secure the capital on
April 29 and April 30, if the President's supporters provoke
civil unrest here," Endriartono said as quoted by Koridor.com.

Meanwhile, National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro renewed
his statement condemning training activities run by the Defenders
of Truth force as military training.

"We will not dispute their activities if they only perform
pencak silat (martial art) exercises. But, what the organization
has been doing is practicing military-style group and individual
attacks," he said as quoted by Antara in Balikpapan, East
Kalimantan.

Chairman of the Muslim organization Muhammadiyah, Syafi'i
Maarif, asked the President to calm his supporters down.

"If the President issues a severe warning to his supporters,
I'm sure they will obey him. I also suggest political leaders
stop encouraging groups from staging pro and anti-government
rallies," Syafi'i, a member of the Supreme Advisory Council
(DPA), said.

Separately, deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Achmad
Bagdja questioned accusations made by the security authorities on
the training activities of the Defenders of Truth (PBK) ready-to-
die force as deliberately disruptive.

"What's wrong with that? I guess we cannot blame people for
joining such training in an effort to defend their leader,"
Achmad, also a DPA member, said.

In Surabaya, capital of East Java, activists of the Defenders
of Truth force pledged on Wednesday to amass in Jakarta and
occupy the House of Representatives (DPR) if the second
memorandum is issued against the President.

"We are ready and will occupy the House if legislators issue
the second memorandum. We are prepared for all the risks
involved," coordinator of the group Wiro Sugiman said on
Wednesday at East Java's National Awakening Party (PKB) office on
Jl. Kapuas 58 in Surabaya.

Wiro said the first wave of the group, including some 460
trained personnel from Banyuwangi, will leave for Jakarta on
April 24.

As of Wednesday, around 20 field coordinators of the force
have trained and filled their bodies with "inner strength" by
influential Kyai (religious leader) KH. Syamsudin from Banten.

Records show that there have been a total of 55,700 people --
including 30 retired military officers -- who have joined the
ready-to-die force.

In Bandung, capital of West Java, it is also reported that
some 500,000 NU followers in the province will join Istighotsah
prayers in Jakarta on April 29.

Ahead of the visit of Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung to
Purwokerto, Central Java, on Thursday, the party's local
executives have prepared their own ready-to-die force to protect
their leaders and party assets.

The group, meant to counter the ongoing training done by
President Abdurrahman's die-hard supporters, was prepared to
defend the party's dignity, secretary of Golkar's Central Java
branch Koco Suroso said.

"As our party is always cornered by the so-called reform
movement, do we have to remain silent all the time in response to
their prolonged reproach? Of course not. Here, we have collected
our youth and grouped them in Satgas Anti Terror, an anti-terror
task force, who are prepared to fight to the end," he told The
Jakarta Post late on Tuesday.

A coach, Ahmad Mukto, has been appointed to train Golkar
youths in supernatural powers and martial art skills.

Contacted separately, Ahmad said that a target of 6,000
personnel had been set.

Banyumas Police chief Comr. Nata Kesuma confirmed that Golkar
executives had asked police to assist in training their anti-
terror task force but only for the purposes of marching.
(02/25/45/edt/nur/ylt)