Soeharto tells ABRI wacth out of future menace
Soeharto tells ABRI wacth out of future menace
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto warned the Indonesian Armed
Forces of greater future challenges from outside and within the
country.
In a written address marking the 47th anniversary of the
Diponegoro Regional Military Command in Semarang, Central Java,
Saturday, Soeharto said Armed Forces (ABRI) personnel should be
more vigilant of future menace, Antara reported.
Chief of the military command Maj. Gen. Soebagyo H.S. read
Soeharto's message at a special ceremony.
"As a socio-political power, ABRI personnel are also expected
to stabilize as well as introduce dynamics (in the community),"
the speech read. Soeharto was chief of the military command from
1956 to 1959.
Soeharto said the 47 years of Diponegoro command seemed like a
short period, but it was during this time that the personnel had
undergone ordeals and difficult challenges. But he said those
challenges had been successfully overcome because of the high
spirit of the personnel in defending the nation's security.
He also asked the command's personnel to help ensure a smooth
and secure general election, scheduled for May 29, and the
general session of the People's Consultative Assembly next year.
The assembly would deliberate and produce the nation's Broad
Guidelines of State Policies as well as elect a new president.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono also addressed the
ceremony and reminded the military command's personnel that
professionalism was the key to success in their defense and
social political roles.
"The key...is to become even more professional and improve
closeness with the people of Central Java and Yogyakarta," he
said in a written address also delivered by Soebagyo.
He said they would also have to face the challenges of
scientific development, and need to analyze future upheavals and
challenges.
Hartono added the personnel also need to anticipate possible
unrest in relation to the general election.
The ceremony was attended by former army chiefs including Lt.
Gen. (ret) Ismail, Maj. Gen. (ret) Soeryo Soempeno and Maj. Gen.
Moenadi. (swe)