Threats to MPR session dismissed

Threats to MPR session dismissed

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) affirmed yesterday
there has not been any political movements staged to disrupt the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) general session next March.

The assistant to the Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical
Affairs, Maj. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, made clear yesterday
that ABRI was, however, taking precautions against possible
disruption.

"So far, there has not been any group or movement which seeks
to disrupt the 1998 Assembly's plenary session," he told
reporters after speaking at a meeting of 174 public relations
officers of state institutions at Hotel Garuda here yesterday.

The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) is currently
preparing materials to be deliberated when they reconvene next
March to elect a president, vice president and endorse the State
Policy Guidelines.

Bambang said yesterday that everybody should help create a
situation that is favorable for the Assembly to hold its session.
He also hoped there would be no disruption or any
"antiestablishment movements" seeking to do "bad things" or force
radical change in the country.

Responding to questions on the Armed Forces' attitude toward
those critical of the government, Bambang said the Armed Forces
accommodated constructive thinking.

However, ABRI will keep vigil and pay attention to all
contemporary political issues.

"The alertness is there," said Bambang, who is also the deputy
chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly's ad hoc committee
in charge of drafting state policies.

He said the Assembly next March can be considered a success if
it achieves its political goals and manages to maintain security.
It would be a success, for instance, if it is able to endorse the
State Policy Guidelines, if presidential accountability is
accepted and if the Assembly elects the best people as the next
president and vice president.

"It's all for the continuity of this nation's development," he
said.

He dismissed speculation that Indonesia would be in a critical
situation, for example in the form of a vacuum of power,
following the Assembly's session. "We have to be optimistic there
will be no critical situation afterward. God willing," he said.
(23/09)