TNI ANNIVERSARY SPEECHES EMPHASIZE REFORM AND

UNCLAS JAKARTA 012776

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/MTS
SECDEF FOR OASD/ISA/AP/IPSEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR PHUM ID
SUBJECT: TNI ANNIVERSARY SPEECHES EMPHASIZE REFORM AND
DEMOCRACY


1. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudoyono and
Commander-in-Chief (Panglima) Air First Marshal Djoko Suyanto
urged the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) to continue along the
path of reform as the TNI celebrated its 61st anniversary on
October 5. The speeches exhorted the TNI to complete its
transformation toward modernization and professionalization
while upholding human rights, democratic principles and the
rule of law.

PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO'S SPEECH


2. Praising the TNI for its patriotism and dedication to the
defense of the country, President Yudhoyono said that the
challenges of the future would require development and
modernization of the TNI toward "a more professional,
effective and credible" entity. This development and
modernization should be done gradually, in line with the
state's financial capabilities, toward achieving "the
required minimum power" necessary to defend the country,
including dealing with contingencies and preventing possible
threats. At the same time, scientific and technological
advances were changing the nature and form of modern warfare
and TNI doctrine, organization, tactics and techniques must
evolve to respond to these changes.


3. Acknowledging the imperative for economic growth as the
essential ingredient underpinning for the country's overall
progress, Yudhoyono exhorted the TNI to support the country's
democratic institutions, the rule of law and good governance.
Indonesia needed to present a positive image to the world to
underpin the constructive role it wanted to play
internationally. "All elements of the nation, including the
TNI, should participate in and contribute to the achievement
of a developed, resilient and prosperous Indonesia," he urged.


4. Noting that Indonesia's UNIFIL peacekeeping contingent
would soon depart for Lebanon, Yudhoyono hailed the
contribution as a demonstration of Indonesia's desire to play
a role in settling conflicts in the Middle East. He exhorted
the peacekeepers to do their best in the assignment and
convey a positive image, in line with Indonesia's past
peacekeeping contributions. Yudhoyono also thanked the TNI
for its services to Indonesia in disaster relief and
humanitarian assistance.

PANGLIMA SUYANTO'S SPEECH


5. Suyanto also commended the TNI for its role in disaster
relief operations and the approaching deployment of the
850-man peacekeeping taskforce Garuda XXIIIA to Lebanon. The
TNI could also take pride, he said, in its ongoing internal
reform, which involved establishing policies and practices
consistent with the Military Reform Law of 2004 and
Indonesia's democratic order. Similarly, the TNI had nearly
finished the process of winding up its business operations as
a major step on the road toward becoming a more professional
military. At the same time the military must assist in
combating illegal logging and illegal fishing.


6. The professionalism that the TNI sought to attain, Suyanto
stated, was a synergy of the professional ability of its
personnel and technological optimalization, allowing the TNI
to perform its defense role without neglecting human rights,
democratic principles and the interests of the civilian
environment in which the TNI operated.

COMMENT


7. The speeches were given considerable coverage in the
media, which highlighted precisely these themes.

PASCOE