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Overall Mutations In Armed Forces Professionals Preferred Jakarta, Kompas Online TNI Headquarters and the Defence Department are undergoing overall mutations following changes at the top starting with General Wiranto and Admiral Widodo AS. The mutations came as a surprise move, signifying the return of the Defence Secretary General formerly occupied by Lt. General Fachrul Razi. Original from Aceh, he has been entrusted with the second important position in the Indonesian Armed Forces recently, Deputy TNI Commander. The position of Army Chief Staff entrusted to General Subagyo Hadisiswoyo has experienced no change however, amidst speculations that his replacement is imminent. There have apparently been no changes at the Air Force as well. The announcement which had been made by the TNI Spokesman, Major General Sudradjat at Cilangkap Headquarters Thursday noon, had all the likings of a sudden act. Only a day before he informed that the announcement would be made next week. As it was, the announcement was made after the modest takeover ceremony from TNI Commander General Wiranto to his successor, Admiral Widodo AS. The ceremony was attended by several former commanders like Try Sutrisno and LB Moerdani, Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono, Attorney General Marzuki Darusman, and top brass of TNI Headquarters and the Defence Department. Professional Researcher of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Dr. Kristiadi analysed the mutations as a sign of TNI's profound concern for what is happening in the provinces. For this reason should the appointment of Lt. General Fachrul Razi as Deputy TNI Chief Commander be explained. Fachrul graduated from the National Military Academy in 1970. He was born in Banda Aceh in 1947 and he is a veteran fighter of the East Timor front where he was twice assigned, the first time in 1975 and again in 1985. Before his his last position, Secretary General of the Defence Department, he held the position of Assistant Operation TNI General Chief Staff, then he moved on to TNI General Chief of Staff in the short timespan of one year. Kristiadi also evaluated, that the mutations were done with professionalism high on the priority list. Capable officers are placed in key posts under a deputy chief commander hailing from one of the most restless provinces in the archipelago. TNI should adapt itself more towards public aspirations. "Security, for instance, has proven to be dependable on preservation of the law and respect for Human Rights, it does not depend on TNI," Kristiadi said. He questioned, however, why the Army Chief of Staff has not been changed. Dr. Hermawan Sulistyo, a LIPI researcher views the massive mutations as a move towards the middle road, among those camps once known as "red white", green and professional camps and Soeharto's aids. "There is now a better distribution, with more consideration for professionalism, political background and years of graduation," he said. Fachrul Razi's come-back came as a surprise since many believed that the career of this officer from Aceh had finished some time ago. However, Hermawan believes that Fachrul Razi's appointment is no guarantee for a successful outcome of the Aceh problem. Connected to reformation in the realm of TNI, this would depend on how far changes in the doctrine has been made, said Hermawan. Past crisis In his speech at the take-over ceremony, Wiranto admitted that TNI went through a difficult period during his 2-yearly tenure. But, TNI achieved success with having reformation on its agenda with support of the people. "I am grateful that all soldiers have in all earnest taken on various challenges and patience in difficult situations. They have also preserved constant devotio," he said. Wiranto,who is now Coordinating Minister of Politics and Security said further that TNI achieved internal reformation, that it had abandoned its political role and that it had not been involved in rivalry during the presidential and vice-presidential elections. Chief Commander Admiral Widodo AS said that TNI went, indeed, through a difficult period under Wiranto's leadership/ However, Wiranto succeeded to preserve solidarity among the military and maintaining the TNI spirit in the face of changes and uncertainty. "General Wiranto successfully redefined and repositioned TNI," Widodo said. Widodo told the press that he would go on in Wiranto's Direction. Security perspectives About Aceh,Widodo said that the problem should be viewed objectively and that TNI should be ready to implement instructions from the president. "Aceh is like a problem of multidimentional proportions which cannot be approached from a perspective of security," he said. Aceh had best be solved in an atmosphere conducive to Dialogue and communicstion. "I understand that the security approach won't solve the problem, but we have to realise that the presence of TNI there, had been a request from the local government," said Widodo. He also said, TNI has been a part of macro efforts to finalise the Aceh problem in its entity. As to referendum demands, the TNI Chief Commander commented that the mass media and the nation should convince their brethren in Aceh to think clearly and to give the problem a hard look instead of making demands for a referendum for comments, suggestions, and information please contact: permias_fresno@hotmail.com Permias Fresno 97-2000 all rights reserved. |
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