---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- ANTARA, September 24, 1999 Wahid-TNI: Gus Dur Calls On People To Stop Denigrating TNI Jakarta, Sept 23 (ANTARA)- A noted Islamic leader urged people here on Thursday to stop denigrating or discrediting the National Defence Forces (TNI). Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, head of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest Moslem socio-religiuos organisation, said certain quarters abroad and at home were constantly trying to discredit the TNI. "The TNI is being blamed for events in East Timor, Aceh, Tg Priok, Banyuwangi, Kupang and Ambon," he said. Gus Dur said people should differentiate between the TNI as an institution and individual TNI members in every case arising. While there was institution involvement in the past, what happened recently were the acts of individuals, he said at a press conference. He said many international media and non-gevrnmental organizations in Indonesia had engaged in "TNI bashing". "Don't believe the foreign media nor some of the domestic NGOs," he said. Commenting on suggestions that the TNI was now moving its "project" in East Timor to Aceh, the NU leader said he did not believe these suggestions. "That's crap. Only foreign-funded NGOs make up such stories," he said. Gus Dur said that although TNI was institutionally fraught with weaknesses, it was still needed because it was now already beginning to adjust to the democratization process in the country. Australia's behaviour Regarding Australia's behaviour in connection with the East Timor problem, Gus Dur said it was a reflection of their nationalism which asserts the principle that white man must always prevail. "Australia has indeed denigrated Indonesia," he said. Gus Dur, however, said he did not support the idea to break off diplomatic relations with Australia "because the government there can change." Speaking about the latest developments in the East Timor issue, he said although they were a "very bitter pill", Indonesia had already been able to "swallow" it. Still Indonesia would not allow itself to be constantly vilified, he said. (T/KPU-03/ri2/18:36/INT-AJM-23:05/NN01/23:38/TB02) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 28 Sep 1999 jam 13:25:38 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
