Indonesian Army Withdraws Two-Thirds of Personnel from Borders
Wednesday, 20 December, 2006 | 17:16 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta: The Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Djoko Sanstoso has stated that the Indonesian Army has withdrawn two-thirds of its personnel, some 800 people, who guard the Indonesia-Timor Leste borders.

Withdrawal of Indonesian Army troops, said Djoko, has also been carried out as regards personnel operating in Papua.

“This is because the situation there is getting better,” he said yesterday (12/19) after the Infantry Day ceremony in Yogyakarta.

The main task of Indonesian Military personnel operating in Papua, he said, included looking after land borders.

Currently, said Djoko, the Indonesian Army is already cooperating with police and immigration authorities.

It has established joint posts at the borders as well.

Syaiful Amin