Wiranto snipes back at military's critics

JAKARTA (JP): Gen. Wiranto launched a verbal offensive on Saturday against attacks on the human rights record of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and its perceived apathy toward reform.

The TNI commander also defended its handling of the restive provinces of Aceh and Maluku, saying the military was committed to maintaining security and order throughout the country. He termed it "strange" that people blamed the military for the violence in the two provinces while allowing "certain groups" to further their interests by committing violence.

"It is very strange that the majority of the people join hands in pressing the military to pull its riot personnel from the two provinces," he said in a media conference after chairing a TNI leadership meeting at its headquarters in Cilangkap, East Java.

He said there were groups seeking to foster public opinion that the military was guilty of a litany of past offenses, that it was splintered, antireform and maneuvering to restore its grip on power.

Among those attending the meeting were Military Deputy Commander Admiral Widodo A.S., Army chief Gen. Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, Navy chief Vice Adm. Achmad Sutjipto, Air Force chief Hanafie Asnan, TNI General Affairs chief Lt. Gen. Sugiono and TNI Territorial Affairs chief Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Wiranto reiterated there would be no military pullout from Aceh and Maluku because it was TNI's duty to curb violence and defend national unity. He did, however, backtrack on an earlier stance against holding dialogs with separatist rebels, stating the military would talk to anyone seeking peaceful and comprehensive solutions to the violence in the two provinces.

"The key problem in Aceh is that people let the Free Aceh Movement separatists fight for independence from Indonesia." Commenting on the almost daily killings in Aceh over the past three months, he said people should consider why the military was forced to resort to using arms against the separatist group.

"We need to see the situation in a comprehensive manner," he said.

Aceh and Maluku are considered the most restive provinces in the country. East Timor and Irian Jaya also have experienced their share of unrest which has drawn international attention.

In the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura, a group calling itself the "Indigenous People of West Papua" issued a statement on Saturday blasting the military for the suffering it inflicted on the people.

They demanded a stop to activities that constituted a military operation in the mineral-rich province, describing them as marked by "intimidation, torture, rape and even mass killings".

Reshuffle

Wiranto also declared the military's neutrality ahead of the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly and presidential election in November.

"TNI will remain neutral in facing all groups in society," he said.

Wiranto sidestepped queries regarding widespread speculation that a reshuffle is imminent in the Indonesian Military.

"You seem to be smarter (than I am)," he said to a journalist. "Because even though I have not made any decisions, there are lists (of names of military officers said to be replaced) circulating."

"The (reshuffle) is an internal policy of TNI ... you will be told later on," he said as quoted by Antara.

The news agency quoted unidentified sources as saying that among those to be affected by the reported reshuffle was TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Maarif, who would be posted as governor of the Military Academy. He would be replaced by Brig. Gen. Sudrajat.

Antara also said former East Timor military commander Col. Tono Suratman would be promoted brigadier general and posted as deputy spokesman of TNI.

Detik.com reported Wiranto as denying speculation that he would replace Subagyo H.S. "There will be no replacement of the army chief," Wiranto reiterated.

"If there is (a reshuffle), we'll announce it at the proper time," he added. (34/rms/swe)