TNI gear up security for MPR session

TNI gear up security for MPR session

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Adm. Widodo
Adisucipto has called on all regional military commanders to help
police maintain security in the run up to the General Session of
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in August.

Widodo also said that the TNI would also concentrate on
handling security in troubled areas in Aceh, Maluku, Irian Jaya
and Central Sulawesi so the regional matters would not disturb
the session in Jakarta.

"In particular I have asked the Jakarta Military Commander to
back up the Jakarta Police to safeguard the capital during the
session," he briefed members of the Supreme Advisory Council on
Friday.

As requested by the Jakarta Police, the TNI has prepared 4,181
personnel, comprising of six army battalions, two marine
battalions and one battalion from the Air Force's Special
Command.

"To anticipate security disturbances during the session, we
also have reserved another 10 battalions for precautions and they
are ready to be deployed anytime the police need back up," Widodo
said.

Widodo said the TNI was anticipating possible moves by certain
groups that will use the session to instigate chaos in the
capital and other parts of the country.

However, Widodo stopped short of unveiling the groups.

Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu, who
also attended the meeting, confirmed Widodo's suspicion that
certain groups have planned to disrupt the annual session, but so
far he could not identify them.

"I don't know who they are, but the TNI Headquarters has their
identification," Ryamizard remarked.

The Assembly annual session will be held from Aug. 7 through
to Aug. 18 to hear the President's progress report and endorse
constitutional amendements.

Troubled areas

In the consultation meeting, Widodo also explained the latest
development of security conditions in the troubled provinces of
Aceh, Maluku and North Maluku, and Irian Jaya.

On the Aceh issue, Widodo said the implementation of three
months of the humanitarian pause has proven to bring peace to the
region but should be prolonged for the next three months.

However, the government should consider a new approach and
take political measures to settle the Aceh issue as there are
still Free Aceh Movement (GAM) efforts to force a state of
freedom in the region, Widodo said.

"Somehow GAM has manipulated the humanitarian pause to conduct
intimidation, terrorize civilians and consolidate their strength
along with building national and international opinion to support
them," Widodo said.

The GAM activities included provoking people to flee their
homes, forcing the replacement of several village chiefs,
continuing the training and recruitment of armed civilians and
hoisting the GAM flags in several areas.

"We need to push for a political settlement in Aceh because a
security settlement is not sufficient enough to cope with the
problems," he added.

In regards to the situation in Irian Jaya, Widodo said there
are no serious security disturbances except for a separatist
movement supported by the Melanesian Brotherhood Solidarity
(MBS).

"The government should watch out for this movement because
this will bring vast side effects, as there will be mounting
national and international pressure on us over the problems,"
Widodo said.

On the Maluku issue, Widodo said a conducive condition has
been established in the region and the military has managed to
calm the area, thanks to the imposition of the civil emergency in
the territory on June 27.

"But we still have to be cautious as the two warring groups
are mostly separated only by a small path or river, so any small
incident may cause further clashes," he added.

Widodo said that in reference to the issue of impartiality in
the military, Army troops always try to deal with both sides in
every clash and do not only focus on the attackers.

"We are also intensifying raids and sea blockades to prevent
gun smuggling. There is proof that the outsiders who came in the
name of humanity eventually provoked more incidents," Widodo
said.(dja)