President urges special forces to renew resolve
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)