Unitary state final: Kostrad chief

Unitary state final: Kostrad chief

MALANG, East Java: Chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu said on Saturday that the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesian (NKRI) was already final and was non-negotiable.

"We are ready to maintain and defend the unitary state of Indonesia to the last drop of our blood. Unfortunately, there is still uncertainty and hesitation to quel and combat separatism in the country," he said here on Saturday.

He made the remarks in a talk with Taufik Kiemas (President Megawawati's husband) and legislators who were making a working visit to the headquarters of Kostrad's Infantry Division II in Malang.

Ryamizard said the hesitation to quel separatism was due to the fact that the military itself was adhering to unclear policies.

"In fact, the country is now in a precarious situation because of the emergence of separatist movements which have eclipsed nationalism ," he said.

He said efforts to maintain the unitary state of Indonesia could not only be made through better human resources but should also be supported by adequate facilities and infrastructure which were the government's responsibility to create or provide. --Antara