Susilo vows to comply with July 27 inquiry

Susilo vows to comply with July 27 inquiry

JAKARTA (JP): One of the senior military officers to be
questioned in connection with the July 27, 1996, attack on the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters, Lt. Gen. (ret)
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said on Monday he would comply with the
ongoing case.

But Susilo, who was Jakarta Military chief of staff at the
time of the incident, said the attack was not the work of
disobedient military personnel.

"We can see that the case is very complicated. It was not the
work of oknum (deviant personnel), but it was the work of the
institution," said Susilo, who was installed on Saturday as
coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs.

According to Susilo, it is important to open the case to the
public to find those who initiated the attack on PDI headquarters
on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta.

"It will be clear later who actually made the decision, gave
the order and who had the initiative (to attack the place).

"I believe the joint (investigation) team can unveil all these
things," he said.

The police and the military police, under great public
pressure, announced last year it was reopening the investigation
into the attack. According to some, those who carried out the
attack on PDI members loyal to ousted party leader Megawati
Soekarnoputri received back-up from police officers and military
personnel.

Following the completion of the police investigation into the
alleged role of civilians in the attack, the government then
established a joint military-police team to investigate the
suspected involvement of around 45 military and police personnel,
including Susilo.

Earlier this month, the head of the investigation team, Col.
Hendardji, said 12 high-ranking officers could be named as
suspects in the case. Susilo's name was among the possible
suspects.

One day after his appointment as the new coordinating minister
for political, social and security affairs, the team confirmed
Susilo would be questioned a second time.

Susilo confirmed he would attend his questioning on Thursday
this week, saying his work in the Cabinet would not be disturbed
by the case.

"Everybody is equal under the law. I hope the case can be made
public so we all know where the main problems of the case are.

"Besides, I was not the one who had the authority to command
the troops at that time," Susilo said.

The 1996 takeover of PDI headquarters was followed by unrest
throughout the city. According to official figures, five people
died and 23 others went missing in the violence. But many in the
public believe these figures are higher. (dja)