Routine exercises before election

Routine exercises before election

All office personnel in the Tomang area were startled when a
helicopter circled above office buildings on April 15, 1997, and
all transportation was stopped by security officers from the
Ukrida crossroad to Citraland for about an hour.

Then, The Jakarta Post on April 16, 1997, informed its readers
that a demonstration took place in front of the House of
Representatives building on April 15.

What drew my attention were Mr. Sutiyoso's words which
explained that the helicopter was on a routine exercise flight in
relation to the future election on May 29, 1997.

A big question has been growing inside me as a layman. Is this
how the Army is exercising and anticipating a war, at the expense
of public interest, when people go about their business and a
group of demonstrators demands justice at the right place?

NIXON SILAEN

Address known to the editor