Vaudine England, Jakarta – Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid yesterday achieved exactly what he wanted – General Wiranto's absence from government – without destabilising the nation's delicate political balance.
He also protected national honour by suspending the man accused of rights crimes in East Timor, just one day before United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was due to arrive in Jakarta to assess whether Indonesia can prosecute its own or if an international war crimes tribunal should be formed.
But the way he achieved this victory raised doubts about his credibility. Mr Wahid can claim victory on two fronts: asserting his right to hire and fire whom he pleases, even leading generals; and displaying support for the rule of law and human rights institutions. But this event's place in the struggle between civilian and military rule is more significant, as those hoping to see General Wiranto face trial will probably be disappointed.
"Gus Dur [Mr Wahid] firmly believes that Wiranto is not ultimately culpable," said Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono. Mr Wahid's achievement, in just more than 100 days in power, has been the emasculation of the military and the whittling away of some of its privileges in government, to make the point that civilian rule is supreme.
Under ex-president Suharto, soldiers enjoyed impunity for deeds ranging from petty corruption to rape and robbery, and were rarely called to account.
Despite all the contradictory statements and apparent turnarounds, it is clear that this state of affairs is coming to an end. "He's done it at last, thank goodness," said a Western diplomat. "But why did he have to take us all round in circles along the way?"
Most Indonesians are not shocked by the twists and turns and even the armed forces spokesman, Air Force Rear Marshal Graito Usodo, said: "It's his prerogative. Gus Dur has the right to change his mind."
The result is a government, chosen in the country's most democratic elections so far, which is highly dependent on the complex mind and manoeuvres of one man. The imposition of Mr Wahid's will on General Wiranto is the most dramatic in what can be seen as a long line of steps towards his goal of putting the military in its place.
Mr Wahid has already appointed a civilian as defence minister and made the previously army-dominated post of forces chief over to a navy man. He sacked the armed forces spokesman who dared to question a civilian president's right to interfere in military matters.
His success lies in his ability to keep everyone off guard, and his staff divided, so that no one is strong enough to challenge him in his highly vulnerable position as leader of a large, poor and violently fractious country. But observers at home and abroad might wish there was more clarity and less chaos in the process.