Nation told to support new TNI

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)