National

TNI Air Force Yet to Withdraw Personnel from Aceh
Wednesday, 03 August, 2005 | 10:03 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Tasikmalaya, West Java:There shall be no change in the presence of Indonesian Air Force personnel in the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) although the peace agreement between Indonesian Military (TNI) and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) is to be signed on August 15.

The Air Force personnel are organic personnel and therefore do not need to be withdrawn.

“We will still assign Indonesian Air Force personnel in Aceh because their presence is still very much needed,” insisted Indonesian Air Force Chief of Staff Operational Assistant Major General I Gusti Made Oka when speaking to reporters in Tasikmalaya, West Java, on Tuesday (02/08).

Commander of the Indonesian Air Force Special Troops Corps Brig. Gen. Putu Sulastra confirmed that this withdrawal would only be carried out if there was a direct order from the chief.

“Up to now, there are yet to be any orders to withdraw the troops,” said Sulastra. (Rambat Eko-Tempo News Room)