Nation told to support new TNI

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid urged the nation on Thursday to encourage the decision made by the Indonesian Military (TNI) to abandon its sociopolitical role and concentrate solely on defense affairs.

In his address to 146 TNI top brass who had just participated in a two-day leadership meeting, the President said TNI's decision to return to its fundamental role was in line with the 1945 Constitution and the People's Consultative Assembly which mandated that the military's function was to concentrate on the defense of the country.

The President said that with the decision TNI would be more capable in defending the country.

"The prevailing Constitution has ruled that TNI's duty is to safeguard our defense. We will promote such professionalism," said Abdurrahman.

He said the country needed a strong military and vowed to increase the number of soldiers and the budget for defense affairs. The current budget and number of soldiers, he added, was too small.

Abdurrahman conceded that many people oppose TNI's deep involvement in various nondefense sectors in the country, and there were a lot of abuses committed by individual soldiers in the past.

The President pointed out that despite strong criticism from foreign countries against TNI, he reiterated his strong confidence in the military's loyalty to the nation.

Abdurrahman, who has repeatedly vowed to restore democracy in the country, was very cautious in his remarks and avoided any criticism against the powerful military institution.

"Let us be cautious not to have anti-TNI sentiments, because as an institution the country will always need TNI," the President remarked.

During the meeting, Abdurrahman was accompanied by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono.

TNI Chief Admiral Widodo was accompanied by TNI top brass, including TNI deputy chief Gen. Fachrul Rozi, Air Force Chief Hanafie Asnan, Navy Chief Achmad Sutjipto, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto.

In his report to the President, Admiral Widodo conveyed seven major decisions taken during the leadership meeting, including TNI's loyalty to the legitimate government.

"TNI as a constitutional state institution is mandated to carry out and safeguard the policies taken by the legitimate government," Widodo pointed out.

Earlier in the morning, Widodo expressed his strong determination to end the military's strong political influence which had allowed it to wield power for 32 years.

"We're out of politics now and we will concentrate on defending the nation," Widodo said in a special press conference at the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta before the meeting with the President.

According to him, all soldiers from the entire rank and file were strongly committed to abandoning politics. He pointed out that any soldiers who wanted to be active in politics had to retire from the military.

"So a choice has to be taken," said Widodo, who is the first non-Army military chief since 1965.

Widodo also reaffirmed TNI's commitment to the rule of law and strict discipline among its soldiers.

The admiral stressed that TNI as part of the national system will always comply with the Constitution and uphold law and democracy.

TNI will also help the National Police deal with terrorism, armed rebellions and will support the country's participation in maintaining a peaceful society, he added.

At the same time, Widodo also answered some sensitive questions, including the future of military cooperation with the United States and the involvement of TNI members in the July 27, 1996 attack on the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI-Perjuangan) headquarters.

Widodo underlined the swift repatriation of East Timor refugees with the help of the international agencies and measures to stop raids on the refugee camps in East Nusa Tenggara and strengthen security along the border with East Timor.

"We hope that the international community might understand our efforts," he said.

On the attack of PDI-Perjuangan headquarters, Widodo said TNI would support any attempt to solve the case in accordance with the law. (dja/prb)