Tyasno plays down rift between Wiranto and Agus

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Army chief of staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto plays down tension between Gen. Wiranto and Chief of Wirabuana Military Command Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusuma, saying that it's just a matter of miscommunication.

Tyasno said here on Monday that there was nothing between Wiranto, former coordinating minister for political and security affairs, and Agus.

Tyasno was here to evaluate the performance of Wirabuana Military Command.

"It was the journalists who contributed to the miscommunication. We have never tried to blow that up. Difference among us is natural. It depends on us how to deal with that. If we take it (the difference) positively, the difference will constitute a positive thing which is of great value," Tyasno said.

Wiranto has been upset about Agus, who criticized him over his alleged involvement in the East Timor post-independent violence.

Agus told journalists that Wiranto should have stepped down, and suggested that Wiranto join Golkar party, and become a member of the opposition.

Angered, Wiranto openly confronted Agus, saying that Agus had broken the Indonesian military ethic.

Not wanting to meddle in the rift, President Abdurrahman Wahid said later that the internal communication in the military had been clogged.

Asked about the congested communication, Tyasno said that any organization needed good internal communication between the leaders and the subordinates, and among subordinates. "Good communication brings about loyalty and is a means to convey ideas."

"However, conveying ideas should be channeled through an official forum, such as a seminar," he added.

Tyasno admitted that he had summoned Agus over his statements against Wiranto. "As his superior I must get first hand information from him (about the rift). I have given him advice. It is a part of communication."

Praise

Despite his outspokenness, Agus won appreciation from Tyasno for his success in extinguishing the 14-year-old violence in the regency of Luwu Utara.

"I am very proud of the results of the joint operation between the military and the police. It brought life in Luwu back to normal," he said, adding that the operation should become a model.

In the operation the officers worked hand in hand with local people. "This showed that cooperation is needed in dealing any problem. We thank the people who trusted the Army and the Wirabuana Command to help the police curb the mayhem."

The sectarian clamor has claimed at least 26 lives. Hundreds of people were wounded and thousands of houses were burned down during the violence.

As many as 39 people have been arrested and more than 4,500 rifles seized in the military operation that was launched on Jan. 27. (27/sur)