DATE=2/8/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA POL
NUMBER=5-45397
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indonesia's president and security minister
are locked in a battle of wills. President
Abdurrahman Wahid has called for the minister, General
Wiranto, to resign from the Cabinet over allegations
of the military's involvement in human rights abuses
in East Timor. As Correspondent Gary Thomas reports
from Jakarta, it is a crucial test for Indonesia's new
democratic government - and its president.
TEXT: The struggle between President Wahid and
General Wiranto, which has been conducted long
distance across continents, is a test of whether the
Indonesia's civilian government can gain authority
over the powerful military establishment. It is also
a test of strength for Mr. Wahid, the half-blind
Muslim cleric who was elected president last year.
General Wiranto, once the armed forces chief and now
Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security, has
been implicated by a government commission in the wave
of unrest that gripped East Timor after its residents
voted for independence from Indonesia. He denies any
wrongdoing and is ignoring Mr. Wahid's calls for his
resignation.
The conflict between the two men has caused rumors of
a coup - none of them confirmed - to spread.
Mr. Wahid, popularly known as "Gus Dur", shook up the
military when, after his election last year, he in
effect kicked General Wiranto upstairs, removing him
as armed forces chief and placing him in the cabinet.
In his place, a naval officer was named to the top
military spot for the first time.
But opinion differs over whether Mr. Wahid has the
military under his control.
Respected Indonesian analyst and political scientist
Jusef Wanandi is one of those who believes the
president has tamed the armed forces by changing
nearly all of key military and security personnel. He
downplays the confrontation, saying Mr. Wahid is just
trying to jettison a liability.
// WANANDI ACT //
As President Clinton has the right to remove
everybody in his cabinet he thought has become a
political liability - as Wiranto has become - he
can make use of his prerogative as president to
get rid of Wiranto. So this is not a big
problem.
// END ACT //
But other analysts disagree. Television commentator
and business consultant Wimar Witoelar says the
outcome of the struggle between the two men is far
from certain - and many key military officers are
waiting to see who will prevail before they take a
side.
// WITOELAR ACT //
Nobody has control of the military because it is
in the process of changing. It is a process of
shedding its skin like a snake does. It is
turning itself inside out. You have the
official positions held by the moderates. But
you have some troops, important troops, held by
the hardliners, and you have the reformers
standing in the wings.
// END ACT //
// OPT // Mr. Witoelar adds that Mr. Wahid is not
using the full powers of his office.
// WITOELAR ACT //
One can only guess as to the reasons why the
president had to do it this way. My own version
is that this president really is very weak in
the sense of weakness of the ability to apply
presidential power.
/// END ACT // END OPT ///
Mr. Wahid's sometimes ambiguous statements on the
matter have further created confusion. But Mr.
Witoelar and others believe Mr. Wahid is far craftier
and politically astute than his impromptu statements
or eccentric behavior would have one believe.
(SIGNED)
NEB/GPT/RAE
08-Feb-2000 08:30 AM EDT (08-Feb-2000 1330 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
