N. Sulawesi has new military chief

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Chief of the Wirabuana Sulawesi Regional Military Command, Maj. Gen. Sulatin, swore in Col. Achmad Yahya yesterday as chief of the North Sulawesi military command, replacing Col. Soetrisno.

Achmat was a former deputy director of Army staff and command school (Seskoad) in Bandung. Soetrisno has been transferred to the Armed Forces' headquarters in Jakarta.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Governor A.E. Mangindaan and senior local officials, Antara reported yesterday.

In his speech, Sulatin called on the local military to intensify territorial operations to ensure stability in the country's northern territory bordering the Philippines.(rms)