PRESIDENT INSPECTS ARMY SPECIAL TROOPS' ANTI-TERROR UNIT

Jakarta, Aug. 20 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here Thursday visited the main base of the Indonesian Army's Special Troops Command (Kopassus) to witness a demonstration of the specialized capabilities of the command's anti-terror unit.

On the occasion, the president was accompanied by Army Chief of Staff General Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo and Kopassus Commander Major General Pramono Edhie Wibowo.

In the demonstration, members of the Kopassus's Terrorism Fighting Unit 81 (Satgultor 81) showed their field operation skills to cope with threats to national security, including terrorism.

During the visit to the Kopassus base in south Jakarta, the President was also presented with a Kopassus Honorary Brevet.

President Yudhoyono, in his state address on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of Indonesian Independence last Aug. 14, stated that Indonesia must not and will not be defeated by terrorism.

"The terrorist acts of bombing public places are truly inhumane. The victims are innocent people, either citizens of friendly countries or Indonesians themselves," Yudhoyono said at a plenary session of the House of Representatives at Parliament building.
During the last few years, the country's security situation had continuously improved. Unfortunately, this stability was compromised by the terrorist acts last month, he said.
"These terrorists want us to be gripped by fear and, subsequently, to stop our daily activities. We are thankful that Indonesia is a great nation, a strong nation that can withstand all kinds of challenges, including terrorism," he stated.

The head of state on the occasion thanked the National Police for untiringly and persistently striving to fight terrorism.