GOI SAYS ITS FORCES ARE READY TO DEPLOY TO LEBANON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 010493

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR P,EUR,NEA,PM,IO,EAP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PFLP PREL ID LE
SUBJECT: GOI SAYS ITS FORCES ARE READY TO DEPLOY TO LEBANON

REF: A. JAKARTA 10366 INDONESIAN PEACEKEEPING
PREPARATIONS FOR LEBANON

B. STATE 134133 SOLICITING CONTRIBUTIONS UNIFIL

C. USUN 01545 UNIFIL FORCE GENERATION UPDATE

D. STATE 132517 SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON
LEBANON

E. STATE 124162 FORCE GENERATION MEETING

Classified By: Amb. B. Lynn Pascoe for reasons 1.4(b and d).


1. (C) Summary: Presidential adviser Dino Djalal told the
Ambassador August 23 that Indonesian forces are "ready" to
deploy to Lebanon at any time; there remains some confusion
in the public arena about what exactly their role would be.
Ambassador emphasized to Djalal the need for GOI statements
to be even-handed and emphasize the positive contribution
that Indonesian forces can make in reestablishing peace in
the region. According to a military planner, the forces,
expected to number from 850 to 990 troops, are in training to
make sure they meet United Nations standards, with the final
deployment number dependent upon discussions with UN
officials. Government statements in public have emphasized
the need for a clear mandate, expressed reluctance about
disarming Hezbollah, and downplayed Israel's ability to block
Indonesia's participation in the peacekeeping force.
President Yudhoyono's son, Lieutenant Agus Harimurti, will
reportedly be a member of the Indonesian contingent. End
Summary


2. (C) Presidential Advisor Dino Djalal confirmed to the
Ambassador Aug. 23 that Indonesia stands ready to send forces
to Lebanon at any time. At the military planning level, DAO
has been told the same. Noting some of the discordant notes
in the press, the Ambassador told Djalal that it would be
important to ensure that GOI statements about the eventual
deployment have a positive even-handed tone emphasizing what
the UN force could achieve to restore peace. Djalal said he
understood and would try to ensure a positive tone.
Apparently the number of personnel to be deployed remains in
flux. It remains unclear to us what specific logistic plans
are in place to move not only the force but its equipment.
The Indonesians have heard that the UN would want a battalion
of 850. Current Indonesian plans are to send such a
battalion supplemented by 140 more engineering personnel for
a total of 990. The final number and composition will depend
on discussions with UN officials. In the meantime, planners
have told us the Indonesians are undergoing unspecified
training to meet "UN standards."


3. (SBU) The GOI's decision to send peacekeeping troops to
oversee the ceasefire in Lebanon has generated a certain
debate in the Indonesian press, the most contentious being
the possibility of Indonesian troops participating in the
disarmament of Hezbollah. Observers have noted that such a
step, although not specifically mentioned in the UN
resolution, is nonetheless required if the ceasefire is to
hold. Several members of Parliament have made clear their
objection to any Indonesian involvement in such an activity.
Defense Minister Sudarsono did a tap dance around the issue,
stating that "what matters is to make UNIFIL and the Lebanese
military the only ones with arms, not Israeli troops or
Hezbollah," but then adding flatly that "we don't want to be
assigned to disarm Hezbollah." That job, he suggested, could
be carried out by the Lebanese military alone. FM Wirajuda
observed that it was "crucial" that participating countries
receive detailed descriptions of their roles so that
Indonesia could avoid any missions that are "politically not
in accordance with our interests." The GOI downplayed
Israeli statements objecting to the participation of nations
such as Indonesia that do not have formal relations with
Israel in the peacekeeping force. Both Ministers said that
any Indonesian presence in Lebanon would exist as authorized
by the UN, would not be in Israel, and that the existence of
formal diplomatic relations has never been used as a criteria
for participation in past peacekeeping missions.


4. (C) Even less clear is how the GOI intends to handle the
role of President Yudhoyono's son, Agus Harimurti, in the
operation. A press report that Harimurti, a Lieutenant in

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the 305th Infantry Battalion of the Army Strategic Reserve
Command (Kostrad),would be traveling with a special security
detail was criticized by observers who felt that his
participation would divert attention and resources from the
primary peacekeeping mission. A final unresolved issue is
how the force will be paid for. Sudarsono stated that $40
million had been allocated to pay for the initial two months
of deployment, and he expressed confidence that the UN would
take over the funding at that point and fully reimburse all
expenses incurred.
PASCOE