Wiranto talks with student leaders

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto met leaders of the University of Indonesia postgraduate's Student Forum (Formas) on Friday, discussing a range of current hot issues, including the tarnished image of ABRI, Antara reported.

Giving no details on where the meeting was held, the state news agency quoted a press statement as saying that the dialog was attended by Wiranto and his top brass, including Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi, the assistant for social and political affairs to ABRI's chief of territorial affairs, the coordinator of expert staff for ABRI, Maj. Gen. I. Gde Nyoman Arsana, ABRI spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Maarif and ABRI's chief secretary Brig. Gen. Bambang Sutedjo.

Formas was represented by chairman DT Rimbawan and secretary- general Ali M. Sutopo.

Antara did not say which party released the statement.

Rimbawan expressed what he said was the wish of the people, that ABRI will improve its professionalism and avoid repressive measures in dealing with protesters, as this could harm both the soldiers and the common people.

He said that a study of recent cases of human rights violations perpetrated by ABRI, such as the kidnapping of political activists and the shooting of student protesters, should be used as a valuable lesson for the whole nation, so these things are not repeated.

Formas also suggested that ABRI's past transgressions should not remain unresolved, as this would further damage the military's image, but their resolution should be ABRI's top priority.

In response, Wiranto agreed with Formas' suggestion, and expressed his wish to continue holding such open dialogs with students to share their aspirations. (ivy)