Jakarta – The Commander General of Special Troop Commandoes (Danjen Kopassus) Major General Prabowo Subianto stated that all strata of the society at the country should increase vigilance towards a group which intentionally wants to create instability. This group tries to create riots because it has its own political interests.

This was said by Prabowo answering reporters after receiving support in form of two cars and sport equipment from the Minister of Youth and Sport Hayono Isman on Wednesday (26/2) at Plaza Graha Pemuda Jakarta. Said aid was intended for the Young Cenderawasih (bird of Paradise) Guard of Irian Jaya and the Paksi (a bird) Guard of East Timor which form two youth organizations guided by the Kopassus.

According to Prabowo, the recent riots show a strong indication that there are indeed groups which intentionally ignite and cause those riots. "There is a group with other intentions which indeed want to create khaos with certain political aims and interests. All parties must be on the alert for this," he said.

Without further clarifying the efforts of said groups, Prabowo stated that it has to be admitted that there are indeed subjective conditions which are indeed excesses of development. "But we have to admit also that there are successes in various fields. It are these excesses which mostly are used to create riots," he said.

As was before reported, (Kompas, 25/2), the Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander, General Feisal Tanjung already clarified that the riots which recently happened in various regions in Indonesia were moved by third parties. These third parties which are now investigated by the ABRI ignited the riots which were accompanied by destructions.

Commenting on the statement of Vice President Try Sutrisno concerning the third parties which used the potential of the youth to negative and destructive actions, Prabowo said that the "Kopassus as part of the ABRI will work hard to cooperate with all parties which are pro the Red and White so that the younger generation will not easily be influenced and incited by elements which want to create khaos and divide our nation," he said.

This two star general also said that the Kopassus has at the moment much personnel with reliable skills which can be used to guide the younger generation. "The forms of guidances which we all these times have given besides provisions for the nature loving younger generation and students, are also provisions to the younger generations which are very close with issues of disintegration, either at Irian Jaya or East Timor, as a part of the territorial operation of Kopassus," he explained.

Not involved

Answering a question of Kompas about the efforts of certain parties to discredit the existence of the Paksi Guard of East Timor which were involved in the mass riot at the Ambeno Regency (300 km from the city of Dili). there were according to Prabowo no Paksi Guards involved.

As was reported before (Kompas 25/2) the riots in Ambeno caused a loss of around Rp 2 billion. Due to the riots a market complete with occupied shops were burnt to the ground, 51 houses were burnt, 61 were heavily damaged and 19 others lightly damaged with 10 persons lightly wounded and one dead. Up to this moment there are still 329 citizens who have lost all their possessions, living in critical conditions and needing support.

"I think it is clear. The youth which we nurtured in the Paksi Guard are pro Red and White youth. Therefore those who don't like this group will slander the Paksi Guard and attack their presence," he said.

Prabowo also said that what all these times was done by the Kopassus either to the East Timor Paksi Guard or the Irian Jaya Cenderawasih Guard was no military education or training. "What we give is exactly training of national perceptions, discipline and skills which are channelled through the existing Work Training Centers," he said.

"At the moment many of them have succeeded to build small enterprises in the villages where they come from. I think that the result of Kopassus guidance for these youth is very positive and something to be proud of," he added.

While in answering the questions of reporters about the preparedness of Kopassus in safeguarding the coming General Elections of 1997, Prabowo stated,"The Kopassus as a part of ABRI is also responsible for safeguarding the General Elections. I think there is no problem and hopefully there will be no problem," he said. (*)