YOUR VISIT TO INDONESIA

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 013193 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO NSA HADLEY AND SECRETARY RICE FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM AMBASSADOR PASCOE E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/18/2026 TAGS: PREL MASS MARR ID SUBJECT: YOUR VISIT TO INDONESIA JAKARTA 00013193 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR B. LYNN PASCOE FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D). ¶1. (S) Summary: Mr. President: Your visit to Indonesia provides an excellent opportunity to consolidate recent gains in U.S.- Indonesian relations and showcase the success of our core political values ) freedom, democracy, and economic development ) in this, the world,s largest Muslim-majority nation. People in Indonesia must see that their interests lie in a cooperative effort between the world,s third and fourth largest countries to build a better future, not in a peevish Third-Worldism or Islamic Utopia. President Yudhoyono shares our basic values and is genuinely committed to implementing them in Indonesia despite the many economic and political challenges he faces and the country,s steady string of natural disasters. Indonesia is a Muslim success story with serious problems to be sure, but it has earned our support. Its continued success will not only solidify stability in this critical region (and minimize a potentially major terrorist threat),but also demonstrate that countries that choose the right path will prosper politically and economically. By showing that you care about Indonesia's future, and highlighting the major commitments that your Administration has implemented and supports, the visit can set the tone for continued cooperation in years to come. Yudhoyono has the Right Vision -------------- ¶2. (S) You, of course, have met President Yudhoyono several times and know he has a clear vision for his country that any American can support. What is refreshing about him is that he truly understands and believes in a democratic future for his country. Indonesia's dictatorship collapsed only eight years ago, and the road forward has been a rocky one. But Yudhoyono knows Indonesia needs a democratic system that translates into real benefits for his people so that they will buy into democracy for the long term. He was elected on a platform for increased attention on education, health, and rural infrastructure, to clean up the massive corruption that tarnishes government operations, and to resolve the domestic conflicts that had threatened the Indonesian state. On the world scene, he espouses (even in hostile surroundings such as the Havana NAM Summit or Saudi Arabian University) a policy of political and religious moderation and broad international cooperation that rejects extremism, terrorism, nuclear proliferation and unnecessary international conflicts. He calls on countries and individuals to resolve their problems through good governance, religious tolerance, economic development, and education. He wants to help tackle real issues in the world, thus his early offer of peacekeepers for Lebanon. He fights within Indonesia against the kind of sectarian and ethnic hatred that threatens so many societies around the world. In his public comments during your visit, Yudhoyono will emphasize the issues that are closest to his people's hearts: health, education, economic growth, and natural disaster management, as well as alternative energy and information technology. He hopes to make the benefit of our friendship tangible for the average Indonesian. Pushing Reform has been Tough -------------- ¶3. (S) As in any democracy, Yudhoyono has had to find the balance between satisfying his constituents, parochial interests and bringing about tough, but necessary changes. His instincts and policies have been excellent, but the obstacles are daunting. They include slow rolling by a stunningly recalcitrant bureaucracy and parliamentarians who literally expect to be paid off to vote for positive votes on critical legislation. Nonetheless, Yudhoyono has placed reformers in the key economic ministries and heading the military and police, and his government has arrested some major government and corporate thieves. He had to make the unpopular decision to slash fuel subsidies, thus doubling fuel costs and causing his poll ratings to drop significantly for a time. By doing so, however he saved $6-10 billon for the national budget that the government is plowing into social spending. He knows he has been unable to improve living standards quickly enough, and hopes to draw in more foreign investment to raise economic growth to 7%. Keeping our assistance at robust levels will make the difference now JAKARTA 00013193 002 OF 002 and next year, helping him produce the results he needs before coming up for reelection in 2009. President Yudhoyono is by nature careful in making decisions, but he can be quite decisive and is unquestionably the best Indonesian leader on the horizon. American Success in Indonesia -------------- ¶4. (S) The United States has significantly raised our contribution to Indonesia,s development in recent years. U.S. assistance following the 2004 tsunami in Aceh, both public and private, may have reached a billion dollars and has been greatly appreciated in Indonesia. One extremely significant ongoing program is the education initiative you announced in Bali in 2003. That program, designed to produce dynamic teachers and involved parents, is expanding from 1000 to 1500 public and Islamic schools, is widely accepted as the model in other school districts, and is crucial for shaping the next generation of Indonesian leaders. We have also provided major assistance to their anti-terrorism activities, restored military-to-military ties with an emphasis on training and management, given crucial backing in the fight against avian influenza and on other health issues, and supported other efforts from elections to economic and judicial reforms. In short, we are working quite effectively to help the Yudhoyono government and the people of Indonesia succeed. Moving the Agenda Forward -------------- ¶5. (S) In addition to showing the world that Indonesia can be a model of progress, your visit will provide a major affirmation to Indonesians that we take their country seriously. Although many Indonesians criticize U.S. policy in the Middle East (and demonstrations are a normal sight here),your visit is widely welcomed and appreciated. Most Indonesians will be proud that you will have taken the trouble to come. You can also help nudge the Indonesians forward in areas where they have good intentions, yet still lag behind. Promoting issues such as improving the investment climate, intensifying the fight against avian influenza, supporting the fight against corruption, and improving governance will provide the basis for a more stable Indonesia, and block forces trying to destabilize this vital zone of Asia. The Fight Against Terrorism -------------- ¶6. (S) Although your host prefers that counterterrorism and security issues not emerge as major public themes, progress in this critical area has been consistently strong since Yudhoyono became President. Hundreds of terrorists have been arrested and successfully prosecuted in the last few years. Sentences imposed by the courts are getting longer and the ringleader of the group that killed two Americans in Papua in 2002 was just sentenced to life imprisonment. While much of Indonesia's success is directly related to assistance we and the Australians provide, it is also important to note Yudhoyono has improved the public tone on terrorism markedly in the last two years. Indonesians have moved well beyond the denial of a few years ago to the point that the public has come to accept that terrorists who conduct or are planning attacks on Indonesian soil must be hunted down. In his public statements, Yudhoyono emphasizes that Islam is and must be compatible with a free and open democratic society and placed himself squarely in the camp against all those who would use violence to further their political ends. ¶7. (S) In sum, Mr. President, your visit here will allow you to highlight Indonesia as a clear example of a country that sees and is pursuing the benefits of democracy, appreciates our help while doing so and whose success will make the region and the world safer from international extremism. It will also help convince the Indonesian population that their future lies in a partnership with the United States. We look forward to your visit. PASCOE