SOLDIERS ORDERED TO GUARD AGAINST EFFORTS TO DAMAGE TNI`S NEUTRALITY

Jakarta, Feb 24 (ANTARA) - National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso has ordered the rank and file of the military to keep on guard against efforts to damage the TNI's neutrality.
Giving directives to around 1,275 soldiers here on Tuesday, Djoko Santoso said the TNI's neutrality was final and therefore it should not be disturbed by anybody.
"But certain parties so far have been trying to taint the TNI's neutrality by putting political party attributes on TNI facilities," the TNI chief said.
Therefore, he said, all rank and file in the military had to step up vigilance and to be careful in responding to various developments in the run up to and after the 2009 general elections.
On the occasion which was also attended by chiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force, Santoso said all TNI soldiers should watch their own attitude, behavior, and spoken words in responding to the security and political situation in the run up to the general elections and continue to maintain the neutrality which had been the TNI's commitment since 2005.
"I believe no TNI soldier is so illiterate that he or she cannot understand what has been said in the TNI's pocket book on neutrality," Djoko Santoso said, adding that the TNI was the state defense instrument which could not be used in any political interest.
"TNI's neutrality is the mandate of Law No.34/2004 on TNI and Election Law and thus it should be respected by all parties," the TNI chief said.***