DATE=2/28/2000 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=INDONESIA / MILITARY (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-259620 BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN DATELINE=JAKARTA CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: The Indonesian military has announced a reshuffle of 47 senior officers, just two weeks after President Abdurrahman Wahid won a power-struggle with one of the country's most influential generals. But as Patricia Nunan reports from Jakarta, the military says the reshuffle has nothing to do with the president's efforts to reign in the armed forces. TEXT: Analysts say the appointment of Major General Agus Wirahadikusumah to head Indonesia's strategic reserve command is intended to strengthen President Abdurrahman Wahid's control over the armed forces. Known as a reformist, General Agus publicly supported President Wahid earlier this month by calling for the resignation from the cabinet of General Wiranto, who formerly was head of the armed forces and Minister of Defense. General Wiranto had been locked in a power-struggle with President Wahid. The president asked the former military chief to leave the cabinet after an announcement by Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights that General Wiranto was implicated in last September's killings in East Timor. General Wiranto's rejection of the president's demand to resign raised concerns about a possible military takeover. President Wahiod eventually suspended General Wiranto from the cabinet. Indonesia's Army Strategic Reserve Command, known as KOSTRAD, controls the nation's elite military units. The 17-thousand-strong force is responsible for maintaining Indonesia's territorial integrity. That mission led to its involvement in the 1975 invasion of East Timor, and recent efforts to crush separatist movements across the country. As the new leader of KOSTRAD, General Agus replaces Lieutenant General Djadja Suparman, who will become commander of the military's college command -- a less powerful posting. The appointment of General Agus is one of 47 changes involving senior officers. But an army spokesman, Rear Marshal Graito Usodo, says the military reshuffle has nothing to do with President Wahid's recent test of wills with General Wiranto. Marshal Graito says there is "nothing political" about the reorganization, which he describes as "routine." President Wahid came to power last October, in part, on promises to trim the influence of the Indonesian military. Through a policy known as "dual function," the armed forces has control over both security matters and some national political affairs. (Signed) NEB/MPN/FC/WTW 28-Feb-2000 05:24 AM EDT (28-Feb-2000 1024 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
