PGMA AND INDONESIA'S YUDHOYONO REAFFIRM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002888 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, EAP/IET, INR/EAP, S/CT NSC FOR GREEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2015 TAGS: PTER PREL PINS ID RP SUBJECT: PGMA AND INDONESIA'S YUDHOYONO REAFFIRM COUNTERTERROR COOPERATION REF: A. MANILA 2108 ¶B. MANILA 2105 Classified By: Political Officer Joseph Saus for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) and her Indonesian counterpart President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) discussed bolstering counterterrorism cooperation, law enforcement, and border control -- issues already covered under a 2001 information exchange agreement -- during SBY's June 21-23 visit to Manila. Energy cooperation and cultural exchanges rounded out the discussions. The GRP-GOI commitment to tighter immigration control of undocumented Indonesian nationals in the southern Philippines is a positive step -- especially against Indonesian Jemaah Islamiyah members -- although the extremely porous border and the archipelagic nature of the area make immigration enforcement an unrelenting challenge. End Summary. Counterterror Cooperation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) made an official visit to the Philippines on June 21-23. According to a Joint Press Statement disseminated through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),the two Presidents focused on transnational issues such as counterterrorism, immigration control, and law enforcement cooperation. In promoting their common security, the two leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening counterterrorism cooperation through information exchanges and enhanced coordination and cooperation between regional police commands along the border of the two countries. The two leaders agreed to work more closely to ensure maritime security in border areas. ¶3. (C) DFA Division Director for Southeast Asia, Domingo Nalasco, noted the visit was successful from both sides and served to renew longstanding commitments and cooperation. He said a GRP-GOI working-level meeting might occur in October to explore "more concrete measures" regarding immigration and border controls. Law Enforcement And Immigration Control -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Indonesian National Police Chief, General Dai Bachtiar, met separately with his counterpart, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Arturo Lomibao, at PNP Headquarters on June 21. The two chiefs discussed mechanisms for coordination and established working groups to ensure regular exchanges of information on fugitives; coordination in the arrest and interrogation of suspected criminals and terrorists; exchange visits by law enforcers; and sharing of technical and operation expertise. ¶5. (SBU) According to the DFA Press Release, PGMA and SBY pledged to coordinate closely regarding undocumented Indonesians in Mindanao, and discussed three possible options: repatriation; legalization of their stay in the Philippines; and integration into local society. SBY expressed appreciation for the easing of the Philippine administrative rules on the issuance of alien certificates of registration (ACRs) to native-born Indonesian nationals. OIC and Energy Roundout Discussions -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Other issues discussed include SBY's support for GRP observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Indonesian support for ongoing peace efforts in Mindanao. The two presidents also discussed enhanced energy cooperation between their countries. PGMA suggested GOI and GRP energy officials soon meet to discuss the GRP's interest in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Indonesia's Tangguh project. ¶7. (C) Comment: GRP-GOI counterterrorism cooperation was already established under a 2001 information sharing agreement. We are encouraged at the move to broaden GRP-GOI law enforcement against suspected terrorists, given the presence in Mindanao of Indonesian nationals who are members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terrorist organization. The tenor of discussions during the visit suggest any possible capture of JI suspects involved with the Bali bombing (Dulmatin and Patek, see refs A,B) could result in their repatriation to face justice in Indonesia. Such commitments, however, would constitute a departure from the past as several Indonesian JI suspects, including financier Taufik Refke, remain in Philippine detention. End Comment. BELLARD