TNI names acting spokesman

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto named on Monday former East Timor military commander Brig. Gen. FX Suhartono Suratman its acting spokesman, pending a definite reshuffle that is likely to take place in the near future.

TNI information officer Col. Ahmad Yani Basuki said Suhartono, the current deputy TNI spokesman, would replace Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin who has been promoted as the Ministry of Defense's secretary-general. Suhartono stood trial for atrocities in East Timor, but was acquitted of all charges. The TNI also appointed Commodore Edy Yusuf as the acting intelligence assistant to TNI chief of general affairs Vice Marshall Wartoyo. The post was left vacant by Maj. Gen. Dadi Soetanto, who has been named the defense ministry's director general of defense strategy. -- JP