Rumors of Habibie resignation denied

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. Wiranto dismissed on Wednesday swirling rumors that President B.J. Habibie had resigned amid a military takeover.

Speaking immediately after a three-hour meeting with Habibie at Merdeka Palace, Wiranto appeared unsurprised by questions of a possible coup.

"Oh, it's not true. There's so many rumors. There are rumors of (Habibie's) resignation, of a coup d'etat. They're baseless."

Wiranto, who is also chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI), said the rumors were an attempt to disturb national security.

Also attending the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, Minister of Home Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid and chiefs of all three military forces -- the Army's Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, the Navy's Vice Adm. Achmad Sutjipto and Air Force deputy chief of staff Vice Marshall I Gde Sudhana -- along with National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi.

Wiranto looked relaxed after the meeting, casually leaning back on Habibie's official limousine as he spoke to journalists.

He seemed oblivious when a palace official informed nearby journalists that the President was about to leave. It was only after the driver started the car that Wiranto made an effort to move.

"Many people disseminate rumors to stir up a situation, even to disturb national security. I think we do not need to be swayed by the various rumors," Wiranto said.

Despite his denials, many observers point to cracks within the government's united front since Monday, when Wiranto went straight to Habibie after a Cabinet meeting rejected his proposal to impose a state of military emergency in East Timor.

Speculation was fueled by Habibie's sudden cancellation on Wednesday of all out-of-town trips, including to New Zealand to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

A trusted presidential military advisor, Lt. Gen. (ret.) Sintong Panjaitan, also dismissed talk of Habibie's resignation and reports the military's top brass earlier convened a meeting at their headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta.

However, a senior official confirmed that Habibie did raise the issue in the meeting and also told them he would not withdraw his candidacy for the presidential race in November.

Alatas laughed off the possibility of Habibie's resignation and a military takeover. "No, why should there be a coup?"

Syahnakri

Wiranto said the meeting focused on efforts to restore law and order in East Timor.

He announced that Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri was assigned to head the Security Restoration Operation Command in East Timor with the task of restoring security and reinstating public services.

Syahnakri, operations assistant to the Army chief of staff, is familiar with East Timor. He spent 11 years in the province in various posts, most recently as chief to the East Timor military commander from 1994 to 1995.

Fluent in the local language Tetun, he is respected by both prointegration and proindependence camps as well as the Catholic church for his commitment to upholding human rights.

Syahnakri acknowledged he faced a delicate situation with regard to the militias, who have been accused of committing murder and other criminal acts.

"I understand the emotional attachment between the troops and the militias, for we once fought together against the Fretilin. However, the law must be upheld and I will persuade the militias to end their violent acts," Syahnakri told The Jakarta Post in an interview on Wednesday.

He has brought along a team of lawyers, prosecutors, judges and military police to prosecute on-the-spot military personnel accused of violating the law.

"It is only to be expected that members of the military of East Timorese descent side with the prointegration camp, but that does not mean they can violate the law," he said.

He pledged to work with all sides to create a conducive atmosphere.

"I will also contact (Ramos) Horta to ask for his cooperation to help uphold security and order."

Syahnakri's concerns extend beyond security.

"We are not just dealing with security here, we are also facing the problem of food shortages. In this situation, riots may erupt any time. We really need the cooperation of other government agencies, such as the Ministry of Social Services, to help us with the food supply."

Peacekeepers

Separately on Wednesday, Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi reiterated the government's rejection of assigning international peacekeepers to East Timor, saying the Indonesian Military was capable of restoring order and security.

"We cannot accept the troops' presence. If they come to East Timor in 48 hours, we will resist," Muladi said after a plenary session of the House of Representatives.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday that if the situation in East Timor did not improve in 48 hours, an international response would have to be considered.

Meanwhile, a five member-UN Security Council mission, following a two-hour meeting with Alatas here on Wednesday, said that it was not Annan's intention to impose a strict deadline.

Martin Andjaba of Namibia said the meeting discussed efforts to end the bloodshed.

"We were assured that the Indonesian government has the ability to restore the situation in East Timor," said Andjaba, who heads a delegation consisting of envoys from Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Slovenia and the Netherlands.

The delegation hopes to meet Habibie and Wiranto on Thursday.

Alatas said it was a good discussion. "I briefed them on the latest development in East Timor. Also the considerations and the beginning of operations under the new military emergency law... There were no new proposals".

Asked if the delegation would be allowed to visit East Timor, Alatas replied: "They haven't asked." (lem/05/prb)