Soesilo's office issues clarification on meeting

Soesilo's office issues clarification on meeting

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and
Security Soesilo Soedarman had his office issue a statement
yesterday to address rumors about a meeting he led with 17
cabinet-level officials on Tuesday.

At the end of the three-hour meeting at Soesilo's office on
Tuesday, all the officials declined to give details about the
meeting and referred reporters' questions to Soesilo.

The coordinating minister meanwhile sneaked out through the
backdoor to avoid reporters.

The official silence raised various questions about the nature
of the meeting attended by 14 cabinet ministers, the Armed Forces
Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung, Attorney General Singgih and M.
Soedibyo, the chief of the State Intelligence Board.

Soesilo holds a regular meeting to review the political and
security conditions of the country at the end of each month.
Rarely, however, does he call for a meeting in the middle of the
month unless something urgent needs to be discussed.

The statement issued by Soesilo's public relations office
yesterday said that the meeting was used for a periodic
evaluation of the current political situation and to discuss
steps necessary to enhance national stability.

The review was necessary especially in view of the
preparations for Indonesia's 50th independence anniversary,
according to the statement as reported by Antara.

There was nothing secret about the meeting but the officials
felt that the content was not worth disclosing to the press,
according to the statement. However, its release was deemed
necessary to avoid confusion following the wide publicity that
the meeting generated.

Among the other ministers taking part in the meeting were
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, Minister of Home Affairs
Moch. Yogie S.M., Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat,
Minister of Information Harmoko and Minister of Justice Oetojo
Oesman. (emb)