President urges special forces to renew resolve

BATUJAJAR, West Java (JP): President Soeharto called yesterday for greater alertness and vigilance among members of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus).

In a written statement marking the force's 45th anniversary yesterday, Soeharto said Kopassus must continually follow local and international events to anticipate potentially unfavorable developments which might threaten national unity.

In the statement, delivered by Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono, Soeharto said security disruptions and crisis could happen anytime as a result of foreign intervention or the people's own ignorance.

He said Indonesia's transition from an agrarian society to a dynamic industrialized society had resulted in greater public vitality.

But this vitality is prone to vulnerability, he said, including opportunities as well as threats within the larger scheme of things.

Soeharto reminded the force's officers to exercise vigilance and evaluate the duties they have performed for their country.

"Make these qualities your source of guidance for the heavier and more complex responsibilities you will face," he said.

He urged officers to train themselves to be better able to face disruptions in national security.

"Our country's national stability needs to be sure-footed and dynamic to accelerate the pace of development," Soeharto said, adding the nation has entrusted Kopassus to honor duties bestowed on them.

After the anniversary festivities attended by 3,000 Kopassus members, Hartono said the force would be continuously developed, despite its recent restructuring.

Material development would also be adjusted to the rapidly evolving technology, he said. Among the changes is the transfer of the force's bases. The first group is based in Serang, Group II in Kartasura, Group III in the Bandung subdistrict of Batujajar, Group IV and Group V in Cijantung, East Jakarta.

Kopassus commandant general Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto said the force's success lies in the quality of its personnel.

"Modern, state-of-the-art equipment is necessary but this has not been fully met. With qualified personnel, the Kopassus can properly perform all of its required duties," Prabowo said.

He said the force is only 80 percent equipped but it has not deterred the members' fighting spirit.

Prabowo, also the President's son-in-law, expressed his gratitude to the force's retired officers.

Highlights of the celebration included parachute demonstrations and air attacks.

During the festivities, a number of officers, including Prabowo, were awarded medals of the military's highest honor for their efforts in releasing nine people taken hostage by Irian Jaya rebels last year.

The medals, including Bintang Eka Paksi Pratama, Bintang Eka Paksi Nararya and Satya Lencana Eka Dharma, were awarded by the force's deputy commandant and chief of ceremonies Brig. Gen. Idris Gassing. (ahy/01)