OPSUS Special Operations Service
A major change in the status of security and intelligence appeared to have occurred as a result of the 1985 military reorganization, which included the elimination of the OPSUS [Special Operations Service]. OPSUS compiled political intelligence and was sometimes used by the president to conduct delicate foreign diplomatic assignments. Opsus was originally a combat intelligence unit set up by Suharto during the Irian Barat campaign of 1963-66. For many years, it was headed by the late Ali Murtopo, a close confidante of the president who also served as the minister of information (see Political Parties , ch. 4). Ali Murtopo and Opsus were identified with the implementation of the Act of Free Choice, through which the Irian Barat became a province of Indonesia in 1969. Opsus was also involved in negotiations with Portugal regarding East Timor in the mid-1970s
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/indonesia/opsus.htm
Created by John Pike
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Updated Monday, September 13, 1999 8:02:11 AM
