On reform in TNI

On reform in TNI

I would like to respond to the article of Ms Lesley McCulloch
of July 25, which criticized my point of view about the reform
process inside the Indonesian Military (TNI).

You might not have read entirely what I wrote, as I said
precisely that if the number of TNI/National Police seats in the
legislature had decreased in the past few years, there was still
more scope for their action and pressure. I mentioned the
territorial military structure and the implications of the army
in the economic world and its consequences.

You have used twice the argument about "what happens behind
the scenes": indeed there is some activity but I am a pragmatic
observer of the situation and I don't make blind and unfounded
speculations.

I base my arguments on facts. Among those facts, there is the
integrity, the professionalism and the rigor of the three
generals mentioned in the article. As a good analyst, you should
have noticed better the ones I did not mention; you may find
there, I believe, some answers. Furthermore I am not a fanatic
supporter of the army, and I really start to question whether you
really read what I wrote.

For the situation in Aceh, I believe that the army is not the
only one to be responsible for the horror in this province. GAM
(the Free Aceh Movement) must also share responsibility for the
killing, blackmail and rape. May I suggest you read the most
recent reports of the International Crisis Group of June 12, 2001
and June 27, 2001.

It is time to stop using a dual approach toward the Indonesian
army: in reality there is no hard, precise line between good and
bad. Furthermore it is dangerous to adopt an ideological approach
such as yours and to systematically criticize the Indonesian
Army. You could lose objectivity where you should be a pragmatic
observer. Stop looking at the Indonesian Army with your
occidental mentality and accept that, in Indonesia, the army has
another place than the one usually accorded it in the western
world.

Finally, try to moderate your wish for reform and give time a
chance. You should know, just like me, that in Indonesia, time is
a parameter that you have to or ought to accept: Alon-alon asal
kelakon (slow but sure).

PHILIPPE RAGGI

(Philippe.raggi@ign.fr)

PARIS