Wiranto Denies Masterminding Student Rallies

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Former chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI) Wiranto has denied masterminding recent students rallies. I prefer to keep silent, and this does not mean that [the allegations] are true. Many reporters have asked me about it, so that I am clarifying the matter now, Wiranto said during a press conference held at the Atlet Century Park Hotel in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (24/1). Wiranto said he was used to hearing rumors saying that he masterminded the bombing at the Jakarta Stock Exchange, the Anti-America movement, the hiding of Tommy Soeharto and the masterminding of recent student rallies. It is character assassination, trying to make me appear as the countrys trouble maker. There are systematic efforts to discredit me, said Wiranto. He firmly denied the allegation conveyed by Head of the State Intelligence Agency, AM Hendropriyono, that he was masterminding recent student rallies. He said he doubted that students could be exploited. According to him, the public is currently trapped in a depressing situation and as rumors are spread they appear to become true. As a result, he said, the rumors function as judgment. Wiranto also denied he was a drafter or a candidate for the presidium. According to him, the Constitution does not acknowledge presidium system. I have never been asked to join in any presidium, said Wiranto. He also denied that he had any forces to topple the government. It was true that he invited some generals to come to the TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, to celebrate Idul Fitri, Christmas and New Year. For the same reason, he met with some NGO members, students and other activists. Wiranto explained he held the meetings to try and make improvements to recent conditions, not to violate the law. (Andi DewantoTempo News Room)