DATE=9/27/1999
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA / MILITARY
NUMBER=5-44339
BYLINE=AMY BICKERS
DATELINE=JAKARTA
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indonesia's military has been forced to
withdraw from East Timor and its effort to impose new
nationwide security measures has been suspended. Now,
in the face of public protests and in advance of an
upcoming presidential election, the military is
fighting to preserve its authority. Amy Bickers
reports from Jakarta.
TEXT: Indonesia's military is facing strong
criticism. In recent days, up to 10-thousand
Indonesians took part in demonstrations to protest a
new law increasing the military's authority during a
state of emergency. Indonesian President B-J Habibie
buckled under the pressure of the protests and
announced the law would be indefinitely suspended.
At the same time, Indonesia's military is withdrawing
from East Timor and handing authority to international
peacekeepers. The transition comes after an
independence ballot sparked a wave of killing and
violence which some United Nations officials say was
backed by Indonesian troops.
But while analysts say these events represent defeat
for the country's military, its political power
remains formidable. In upcoming elections, armed
forces commander General Wiranto is expected by many
to secure at least the vice presidency and he is known
to have presidential aspirations. Analysts say
political leaders are offering concessions to the army
in an effort to win its support.
Political analyst Wimar Witoelar (pron: weemar wi-tow-
ler) says the military is trying to consolidate its
position by taking advantage of declining support for
President B-J Habibie. He says it is a battle that
has crucial consequences for the nation.
/// WITOELAR ACT ///
We are at the crossroads to see if Indonesia
will become another Thailand or another Burma in
terms of the military presence in politics. If
the military sees the futility of the request to
stay in power at any cost then it might at the
end step aside in order for a transition to a
softer regime. But if it holds on at any price,
it is possible it will create a nation much like
Burma in which the military remain in control of
an isolated country.
/// END ACT ///
A politically powerful military is not new for
Indonesia, where the armed forces and the ruling
Golkar party have been inextricably linked for
decades, since the presidency of former leader
Suharto. He lost power last year following a series
of massive and violent student riots.
While Suharto fell, the military did not. Mr.
Witoelar says many in Indonesia object to the
military's enduring grip on power.
/// WITOELAR ACT ///
The military and the civilian government of
(B.J.) Habibie are continuing the work of
President Suharto who is one of the biggest
tyrants the world has ever known. Everybody is
upset with the military but students are the
only people who have the courage and the freedom
to demonstrate.
/// END ACT ///
In the face of growing opposition, analysts say the
military wants to maintain its so-called dual
function, which gives it a political as well as
security role. The military wants to preserve enough
political authority to allow it to crush what it views
as threats to Indonesia's stability and unity.
But while the military looks likely to expand its
political power, the effect on Indonesia's delicate
shift to democracy could be severe, with mass unrest
widely forecast. (SIGNED)
NEB/AB/BK
27-Sep-1999 11:20 AM EDT (27-Sep-1999 1520 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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