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
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