TNI to help police secure MPR session

TNI to help police secure MPR session

JAKARTA (JP): Top Indonesian Military (TNI) officers said TNI
would assist police in safeguarding the coming special session of
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and indicated that it
could not at present support the imposition of a state of
emergency.

Indonesian Military Commander Adm. Widodo A.S. said on
Wednesday that the military would fully back up the National
Police for the event, slated to commence on Aug. 1.

"TNI will support the National Police by deploying its
personnel to guard the political event that is expected to seek a
solution to the country's problems," Widodo told reporters at a
joint media conference with the Assembly speaker Amien Rais,
after the two had held a meeting with Assembly leaders to discuss
security arrangements for the event.

"My only hope is that the event will be held for the sake of
the nation," he added.

The nation has been in caught in a political deadlock, with
the Assembly set to convene a special session to seek President
Abdurrahman Wahid's accountability, opening the way for his
possible removal from office.

The President has warned that if no political compromise is
found and the Assembly continues to seek his accountability, he
will impose a state of civil emergency.

The official presence of the military in the current
atmosphere could mark a strategic and pivotal move, as under the
terms of a civil emergency, security falls under the domain of
the National Police.

The run-up to the Assembly special session is occurring
against the backdrop of uproar within police ranks, following
Abdurrahman's dismissal of National Police chief Gen. Surojo
Bimantoro and his replacement by the President's own appointee.

During Widodo's meeting with Assembly leaders on Wednesday, he
was accompanied by his deputy chiefs of staff, chief of the
Strategic Intelligence Body (Bais) Vice Marshall Ian Santoso
Perdanakusuma, TNI's chief of territorial affairs Lt. Gen. Agus
Widjojo, TNI's chief of general affairs Lt. Gen. Djamari
Chaniago, and the Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit
Waluyo.

Accompanying Amien were Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno of the TNI
faction, Soetjipto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
faction, and Ginandjar Kartasasmita of the regional
representatives faction.

Widodo, in his statement, also warned members of the political
elite to refrain from mobilizing their supporters, in order to
avoid rioting in the capital and nationwide.

Emergency

When asked point blank by reporters whether TNI would support
the imposition of a state of emergency and the consequent
dissolution of the House of Representatives and the Assembly,
Widodo remained evasive, replying that an Assembly decree stated
that TNI is a tool for the defense of the state and the
Constitution.

"Our stance is clear, based on Assembly Decree No. VII/2000
TNI is a defense instrument that must uphold the Constitution,"
Widodo said.

Amien, however, was more blunt in his reply, taking Widodo,
who sat next to him, by surprise.

He claimed that the TNI chief had told him during the
discussion that "declaring a state of emergency is not as easy as
it looks."

"The TNI chief's reply was more or less like this: 'The
issuance of a decree declaring a state of emergency is governed
by some conditions. And if these conditions are not fulfilled,
the decree becomes null and void,'" Amien said, without
elaborating on what the conditions might be.

Amien further claimed that TNI was committed to the holding of
the special session in order to uphold democracy.

For this reason, TNI had promised to back up the National
Police to safeguard the event, Amien said.

Later in the day, the Assembly leaders also held another
meeting with senior National Police officers that included
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Sofjan Yacob.

Bimantoro, who is on leave of absence, and National Police
deputy chief Com. Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail were not present.

Sofjan said the police were ready to guard the special
session, even if the event were brought forward from its
scheduled date of Aug. 1.

"We have reported the strategy on our security preparations
nationwide ... In a normal situation, we would deploy about 5,600
joint military-police personnel. This number may increase to
14,000 to 28,000 if the situation turns violent," Sofjan said.

"We are keeping alert to protect the special session, even if
it is accelerated," Sofjan said.

He further said that the dualism within the National Police
leadership had not influenced the readiness of police
personnel.(tso)