TNI in show of force and unity

TNI in show of force and unity

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Military (TNI) held a sudden show
of force right in front of the presidential palace on Sunday
evening, to express unity among soldiers ahead of critical times
to come at the ongoing People's Consultative Assembly Special
Session.

At the order of TNI Commander Adm. Widodo A.S., some 2000
soldiers from the Indonesian Army, Navy and Airforce gathered at
the National Monument, along with their heavy equipment, in a
ceremony to display the unity of the troops. Thirty five
amphibious tanks and 25 armored cars were also paraded,
attracting a large crowd of families that spent the evening at
the park.

Army Strategic Reserves Commander Lt.Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu,
who led the ceremony, called on TNI soldiers to stick together
and avoid all attempts to divide the armed forces for specific
political interests.

"We should not let conflict among us soldiers emerge as it
happened in 1998, ahead the downfall of the dictator, former
president Soeharto," Ryamizard told the soldiers from his armored
vehicle.

He further denied that the ceremony carried any political
significance designed to put pressure on beleaguered President
Abdurrahman Wahid.

"This is just an ordinary ceremony ... to provide security for
the people. Three chiefs of staff, the TNI Chief and the
President approved the gathering," Ryamizard said after a 10-
minute ceremony.

Army Special Forces Commander Maj.Gen.Amirul Isnaini, Jakarta
Military Commander Maj.Gen. Bibit Waluyo, Marine Corps Chief Maj.
Gen. Harry Trijono, Western Fleet Commander Rear Adm.
Soemardjono, Air Force Commander Chief Rear Air Marshall
Soetrisno, Air Force Special Unit Commander Rear Air Marshall
Jeky Ambadar and Presidential Guard Deputy Commander First
Marshall Nono Sangkono, were observed among the participants.
(tso/dja)