MILITARY TO MARK 63RD ANNIVERSARY IN SURABAYA ON OCT 14

Jakarta, Oct 4 (ANTARA)- The Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) will conduct its 63rd anniversary at Dermaga Ujung Naval Base in Surabaya, East Java, on October 14, 2008 instead of on October 5 due to the Idul Fitri holidays, a spokesman said.

Head of TNI headquarters' public information division Col. CAJ Ahmad Yani Basuki made the statement here on Saturday, adding that on October 5 TNI will not stage any special event.

"The peak of all activities will be on October 14 in Surabaya," he said.

Regarding the planned anniversary, TNI Chief Gen Djoko Santoso was also scheduled to present the anniversary speech through the state-run television TVRI and Radio Republic of Indonesia (RRI) on Saturday (Oct 4) night.

Prior to October 14, 2008, all provincial military commands (Kodam) will hold the 63rd anniversary activities simultaneously on October 9, 2008, he said.

Previously, the Indonesian Air Force had expressed its readiness to showcase two of its Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters during a program to mark the 63rd anniversary of the TNI at Dermaga Ujung in Surabaya, East Java, on October 14, 2008.***1***