TNI chief warns against secessionist movements

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Newly installed Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto issued a strong warning to secessionist movements on Wednesday, saying that efforts to separate from the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia would be crushed with military operations.

Speaking to journalists in his first press conference as TNI chief at the Cilangkap military headquarters in East Jakarta, Endriartono urged rebel groups to end their struggle against the legitimate government as "the country has been quite patient in dealing with them."

"If we agree to keep the country united, we should not tolerate any secessionist movement," said Endriartono, who was installed as the new TNI chief last June 7 replacing Adm. Widodo Adisutjipto of the Navy.

Endriartono was accompanied by the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, Air Force Chief of Staff Marshall Chappy Hakim, Navy Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Sahroni, and TNI Chief for General Affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari Chaniago.

Two secessionist movements -- the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) in the country's westernmost province of Aceh and the Free Papua Movement (OPM) in the easternmost province of Papua -- have been fighting for independent states from Indonesia.

"If both the government and legislators consider that only military operations can put an end to the rebel movements, TNI is ready to carry it out," the four-star Army general said when asked whether or not the military would intensify its operation in Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono issued new directives on Monday, urging troops to intensify their security operations against hard-line rebels.

Intensified operations are likely to ruin the ongoing peace talks organized by Switzerland-based non-government organization the Henry Dunant Center (HDC) between the Indonesian government and GAM representatives.

"We (the TNI) believe that problems in Aceh and Papua as well as Maluku are not merely our responsibility. We are concerned because they continue to call for independence even if the government has given in to their demands," Endriartono said.

The TNI, which consists of the Army, Navy and Air Force, has some 300,000 troops at its disposal, with the Army accounting for two-thirds of that number.

Responding to allegations that military deserters worsened communal clashes and religious conflicts in the country, Endriartono said: "I don't deny that some of my troops have deserted for various reasons, particularly those who are assigned in sectarian conflict areas. It happens because my troops are only humans."