Soeharto warns again about antigovt groups

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto issued a fresh warning yesterday to beware of people pursuing activities that could endanger national unity.

Soeharto said in a speech read by Army Chief Gen. R. Hartono during a ceremony to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Army's Strategic Reserve Command that experience had taught the nation antigovernment groups always existed within Indonesia.

"Therefore, while improvements in various fields are underway, we have to prevent and stop the groups' activities," Soeharto said.

"No nation state is willing to give elbow room to such groups ... let alone let them turn their actions into armed rebellions."

In the wake of a series of riots that shook the country in the last few months, Soeharto has repeatedly warned the nation against the groups who masterminded the public unrest.

The command's establishment as a force to be always ready to strike a decisive blow to quell any disturbances was approved by then Minister of the Army Lt. Gen. Achmad Yani in 1961.

Soeharto

Soeharto was the first to lead the command, until he led a counter attack against a coup attempt in 1965 blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party.

The command has had 20 different generals in its top post, with Lt. Gen. Wiranto being the current incumbent.

Past commanders, including former vice president Umar Wirahadikusumah, former minister of home affairs Rudini, House Speaker Wahono, Armed Forces Chief of General Affairs Lt. Gen. Tarub, former Jakarta Governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto, chairman of the National Sports Committee Wismoyo Arismunandar, Kemal Idris, and Leo Lopulissa were present at yesterday's 30-minute ceremony.

Maj. Gen. Sutiyoso and Maj. Gen. Agum Gumelar, the Jakarta and Sulawesi military commanders respectively, Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata and a number of businessmen also attended the ceremony.

Soeharto said the Armed Forces always played an inspirational role in the country's development process but left the major part to the public and state administrators.

"The main duty of the Armed Forces is to provide security and a peaceful guarantee to the public and government apparatus.

"With such a stance, the Armed Forces assesses its own success in relation to the progress made by the people and state apparatus."

Soeharto reminded members of the strategic command as a back- up force to step up their readiness to quell any threats from both within and without the country.

The President said all citizens shared the burden to defend the nation's independence and sovereignty.

"Although we manage to keep all visible threats at bay, we have to stay alert to the invisible menaces stemming from a lot of problems (within society)," said Soeharto.

"That's why we apply the doctrine of a universal defense system."

Basic military and fighting skills displays and a rare exhibition of shooting by wives of the command's troops followed the ceremony held at the command's headquarters on Jl. Merdeka Timur, Central Jakarta. (amd)