Politicians, experts split over Wiranto

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, now under the spotlight over the East Timor debacle, attended a routine Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, shrugging off mounting calls for his immediate resignation.

Politicians and observers, meanwhile, were split over whether Wiranto should condone President Abdurrahman Wahid's demand that he leave the Cabinet.

In apparent effort to play down the potential power struggle pitting Abdurrahman, who represents civilians, against the Indonesian Military (TNI), spokesman for the armed forces Rear Marshal Graito Usodo dismissed rumors of an impending military coup.

"It's impossible. We're not happy with the issue (rumors) because it's not true, and I strongly believe it will not happen in Indonesia, especially by TNI," Graito told a media conference.

"TNI fully supports all decisions made by the President or the government. Whatever they are, TNI will accept them," he added.

Wiranto was present in the Cabinet meeting on security, which was presided over by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on behalf of Abdurrahman who is on a two-week trip to Europe.

The ministers attending the meeting reportedly refrained from talking about the sensitive topic. A minister quoted Wiranto as telling Reuters on condition of anonymity 'please differentiate me from the minister and the person who is being investigated'.

Abdurrahman has twice called on Wiranto to resign immediately from the Cabinet because of the implications of his involvement in the East Timor violence.

Wiranto, who was the TNI chief when East Timor was on fire, dismissed the demand, saying he was determined to defend himself against charges of wrongdoing. Wiranto was among five military top brass implicated in the campaign of terror and destruction which erupted after the Aug. 30 ballot in the ravaged territory.

An aide close to Aburrahman predicted last month that a Cabinet reshuffle would take place due to allegations of human rights abuses and graft.

House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung reiterated his support for Wiranto's resignation, but asserted that it should be free from the use of force.

"He (Wiranto) should be nonactive, but don't force him to resign. Unless there is evidence to implicate him in the human rights abuses and, therefore, is subject to sentence," Akbar said while attending the University of Indonesia's 50th anniversary in Depok, West Java.

Later in the day, Akbar suggested that Abdurrahman give Wiranto a chance to talk to him over the resignation.

In Tokyo, visiting People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais said Abdurrahman might have been hasty in ordering Wiranto to quit. Amien also hinted he was ready to mediate between Abdurrahman and Wiranto, after the former TNI chief defied the President's order that he step down, Reuters reported.

Amien said that if Wiranto truly had been involved in atrocities in East Timor, he would have no choice but to quit and stand trial.

Calls, meanwhile, mounted for Wiranto to voluntarily resign from the Cabinet in order to ease the formal inquiry on alleged human rights violations leveled at him.

Military observers Johanes Kristiadi and Kastorius Sinaga both stressed that Wiranto's resignation would prevent friction among the political and military elite.

Kristiadi from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) also said that Wiranto's exit would maintain the teamwork of the Cabinet.

"It's not healthy for the Cabinet if controversy on Wiranto pits the ministers against each other. It should be Wiranto who takes the initiative (to resign)," Kristiadi said.

Kristianto further added that Wiranto no longer held enough power to bargain with Abdurrahman to remain in the Cabinet and it was useless to argue with the President who had the prerogative right to decide the fate of his Cabinet ministers.

"Wiranto has become defensive recently. He is too self- confident and assumes he will receive support from the military," he speculated.

Meanwhile, Kastorius pointed out that the resignation would enhance the inquiry process at the Attorney General's Office.

"Yes, it is wise if he voluntarily resigns. It will psychologically burden the Office to probe an active minister," he said.

Besides preventing the possible controversy among the political and military elite, Wiranto's resignation would also contribute to calming public resentment toward the military as an institution and to maintain his personal credibility, Kastorius said.

Shortly after former president Soeharto, who was also a senior military general, stepped down, TNI had been target of denunciation for human rights violations and its involvement in the political arena.

Chairman of the TNI faction at the House, Lt. Gen. Achmad Roestandi contended the mounting pressures on Wiranto to leave the Cabinet, describing them as irrelevant.

"There are no rulings that order a minister to step down while in a legal dispute," Roestandi said.

Hartono Mardjono of the Crescent Star Party lashed out at the report unveiled by the government-sanctioned inquiry into last year's violence in East Timor, saying it was insignificant to blame Wiranto for the mayhem.

"I have read the report and found it is too hasty to conclude that Wiranto is guilty," Hartono said.

When contacted separately, Amin Aryoso of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) refused to comment on the order for Wiranto to step down. (01/jun/emf)