PDI rallies increasingly brutal: Lt. Gen. Soeyono

JAKARTA (JP): A war of words has begun between loyalists of ousted Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) leader Megawati Soekarnoputri and the military over who was to be blame for the casualties that occurred during recent street rallies.

Secretary of the Agency for the Coordination of Support for the Development of National Stability (Bakorstanas) Lt. Gen Soeyono said on Friday that the rallies by Megawati's supporters have turned brutal. He charged that they also "twisted facts."

"We have seen the increasing brutality of the PDI supporters...as well as the twisting of facts," Soeyono was quoted by Antara as saying. He pointed out that during the June 20 rally, a soldier was hit by a protester's vehicle.

"But (the supporters) claimed that it was the Armed Forces who injured them," he said.

Soeyono was among a number of military officials who have promised to take tough action against PDI supporters unless they ceased to hold rallies. Also on Friday, Chief of the Jakarta Regional Military Command Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso warned the supporters to halt the rallies because they disrupted the city's order and security, as well as jammed traffic.

"We'll take firm action against any criminal and brutal activities which might disrupt national stability," Sutiyoso said. The same warning was given by Soeyono, who is also Armed Forces chief of General Affairs.

One of Megawati's staunchest supporters, Soetardjo Soerjoguritno, dismissed Sutiyoso's statement. "It's not PDI supporters who caused chaotic traffic along Jakarta streets. It's the police and security officers who did so by blocking the supporters' way," he said.

"The police and the security officers should have just led and guided our supporters on their march," he added.

According to Sutiyoso, the continued demonstrations by Megawati's supporters represented a violation of a recent agreement between the party's officials and military command that there would be no more violence perpetrated by either side.

A delegation of seven party executives guaranteed last week that there would be no more marching by Megawati's supporters, and said that activities would be held at the party's headquarters only.

As it turned out, "they penetrated military blockades and marched along city streets and rode motorbikes," he said.

Thousands of Megawati's supporters marched through Central Jakarta on June 20, protesting against a rebel congress which was then taking place in Medan, North Sumatra. The protest culminated in a clash with security forces, leaving more than 100 people injured.

Soetardjo also said yesterday that his camp would continue with their plan to hold meetings at provincial chapter and local branch levels as Megawati had instructed. He said they would not ask for permits to hold the gatherings, but would only notify the police.

Meanwhile, chairman of the government-backed board Soerjadi said yesterday he would go on consolidating the party's chapters and branches, and get ready for next year's general election.

He also said he was seeking a meeting with President Soeharto.

"We'll meet with the Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. on Tuesday and the following day with Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung to discuss what further action the party should take to consolidate its position," Soerjadi said after chairing the first meeting of his board at his official residence yesterday

The meeting was attended by 31 of the listed 39 central board members.

Soerjadi, who is also deputy House Speaker, said board members would soon travel the country and meet all the PDI's 27 chapters and 306 branches.

He also said that his official residence would be used as a temporary headquarters as the original headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro, Central Jakarta, is still occupied by Megawati's supporters.

"The party constitution only says that the executive board must be based in Jakarta. It doesn't say that it must be based at party headquarters," he said.

"We want to move there as soon as possible, but there is no time limit," he said, adding that his board members had not discussed the possibility of soliciting the help of police or the army to retake the building.

He said that his camp would use the same party logo and address for administrative matters. (imn/16)