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)