[Excerpt from report by Indonesian newspaper Media Indonesia web site on 14 April.]
Jakarta – KSAD (Chief of Army Staff) Lt-Gen Djoko Santoso said that the army was readying seven additional battalions to restore stability in conflict areas, namely Aceh, Poso and Papua [Irian Jaya].
"These additional battalions will be tasked with stabilising security in a number of trouble spots," said KSAD. He was speaking during a break in the Army's Unit Commander and Leadership Conference held in I Division Kostrad headquarters at Cilodong, Bogor yesterday (Wednesday 13 April).
Three extra battalions will be sent to Aceh, three to Papua and the other one will go to Poso. KSAD said that the addition of these battalions demonstrated a commitment by the army to do its utmost to restore security in conflict regions. The formation of the seven additional battalions was in its early stages and would be completed shortly.
KSAD added that generally, the threat to Indonesian sovereignty was becoming more and more evident and it was therefore necessary to anticipate and move additional forces to areas deemed to be trouble spots.
When asked to consider the possibility of army troops perpetrating human rights violations in conflict areas, KSAD stressed that TNI would be improving the sense of duty and discipline within the psyche of its personnel by providing training on legal ramifications, discipline and protection of human rights when carrying out their duties in operational areas.
"So we will not have any more soldiers breaching procedures, regulations or violating human rights," he said.
The army would also increase monitoring of its military administration system to prevent the misappropriation of operational funds. It would be obligatory to account for all spending transparently.
TNI Professionalism
At the same event, TNI Commander Gen Endriartono Sutarto emphasised solidarity and professionalism in his soldiers. These were the key elements in facing up to and removing any threats to security and defence.
"TNI solidarity is the main thing and most important when facing up to every challenge," he said after he briefed the conference.
[BBC Worldwide Monitoring Service.]