IO PDAS WARLICK MEETS INDONESIAN NATIONAL SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 013584 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC AORC PHUM BM ID SUBJECT: IO PDAS WARLICK MEETS INDONESIAN NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR DJALAL REF: A. STATE 197812 (UNSC RESOLUTION ON BURMA) ¶B. JAKARTA 134497 (INDONESIA ON UNSC) ¶C. JAKARTA 13579 (IO PDAS MEETS WITH INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS) Classified By: John A. Heffern, Charge. Reason: 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Summary. In a December 19 meeting with IO PDAS James ¶B. Warlick, Indonesian National Security Advisor Dino Djalal stressed that the GOI takes its upcoming UNSC duties very seriously, and looks forward to a constructive working relationship with the U.S. He said that President Yudhoyono was personally focused on UNSC actions on Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Burma. Djalal said that Indonesia would seek to increase attention to nuclear non-proliferation and stockpile during its UNSC tenure. He expressed doubt that the Burmese regime's actions constitute a real threat to regional stability, and said that Indonesia was wary of actions that might strengthen Burma's alignment with China at the expense of its relations with ASEAN. He reaffirmed that the GOI would consider participating in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq, but only if a viable political settlement, including a process of sectarian reconciliation, were in place. End summary. Indonesia A Force For Moderation In NAM -------------- ¶2. (C) IO PDAS James B. Warlick met in Jakarta December 19 with Dino Djalal, national security advisor and foreign affairs spokesman to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). Looking ahead to Indonesia's 2007-8 term as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, Djalal said that he realized that Indonesia would be politically "exposed," and that its decisions would receive heightened international scrutiny. He explained that Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda would be personally in charge of Indonesia's UNSC decisions, but that SBY was also heavily involved and has a particular interest in Iran, Iraq, North Korea, and Burma. ¶3. (C) PDAS Warlick inquired about Indonesia's role as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement. He noted that the UNSC functioned differently from the UNGA, and that in light of the Council's heavy agenda, the U.S. wants to focus the body's work on practical outcomes, not rhetoric. Djalal replied that Indonesia saw its role on the UNSC primarily as representing Asia, but that it could not escape its identity as a NAM leader. He stressed, however, that Indonesia is now a voice for moderation within the NAM. Recalling the Havana NAM summit last September, Djalal said that India and Indonesia had resisted efforts by Cuba and Venezuela to turn the event into an anti-Western rally. SBY's speech, he said, had addressed themes of good governance and democracy. Djalal explained that Indonesia is "on a new page" in its relations with the United States. SBY was the first Indonesian President without "hang-ups" about friendship with the U.S., and Foreign Minister Wirajuda shares this positive attitude. Indonesia's posture in foreign affairs, Djalal said, is now constructive and opportunity-driven. Palestine/Mideast -------------- ¶4. (C) As an example of unhelpful ideological approaches to the UNSC, PDAS Warlick cited Qatar's practice of repeatedly introducing resolutions on Mideast issues designed solely to isolate the U.S. and provoke a veto. Djalal said that SBY had "gotten religion" on the Palestinian question and asked whether President Bush had as well, pointing out that the problem can never be resolved without the full involvement of the U.S. PDAS Warlick responded that the matter was primarily a matter for the Quartet, not the UNSC, and that the U.S. will seek to reinvigorate the Quartet's role under the incoming Secretary General. He added that Indonesia brings a lot to the table as a potential player on the Mideast. Burma -------------- ¶5. (C) Turning to Burma, PDAS Warlick said that we are pleased that the issue is now on the UNSC agenda, stressing JAKARTA 00013584 002 OF 002 that the regime's actions were a destabilizing force in the region. Djalal countered that in his view, the SPDC's actions were no more destabilizing than other regional hotspots such as southern Thailand, Poso, or Papua. He argued that the SPDC had made progress in reconciling with rebel ethnic groups (except for the Karen),and that real regional instability would arise if the regime were no longer able to maintain Burma's national unity. General Than Shwe likes SBY, Djalal said, and the GOI hopes to use this channel to persuade the SPDC to reform. Djalal said that Indonesia was worried that punitive UNSC action might cause the SPDC to cut its ties to ASEAN; this would only result in closer alignment between Burma and China, which would be "bad for Indonesia and bad for the region." PDAS Warlick stressed that we want UNSC consensus on a resolution that takes a non-punitive stance on Burma a nd provides a platform for further engagement by Under Secretary General Gambari. He added that we were also SIPDIS engaging the Chinese on the matter. Djalal requested more information on our thinking, and we provided him with non-paper contained reftel A. Counter-Terrorism -------------- ¶6. (C) On counter-terrorism, PDAS Warlick stressed that we are seeking enhanced implementation of UNSC Resolutions 1373 (counter-terrorism) and 1267 (al-Qaeda/Taleban sanctions). We are also promoting sharing of best practices and technical expertise among member states. Djalal immediately pledged Indonesian support on the general question of terrorism, without specifics. He stressed that "terrorism is our issue," since groups linked to al-Qaeda had carried out terrorist acts on Indonesian soil which had cost many lives. Non-Proliferation -------------- ¶7. (C) When asked whether Indonesia would bring a specific agenda to its term on the UNSC, Djalal replied half-jokingly, "Yes, but you may not like it." He indicated that the GOI would stress non-proliferation issues, including reduction of nuclear weapons stockpiles by NPT nuclear states including the United States. Djalal said that SBY had discussed these issues with IAEA General Secretary el-Baradei during the latter's December 7 - 9 visit to Jakarta. Pressed for specifics, Djalal added that the GOI had not developed specific language for resolutions. Peacekeeping/Iraq -------------- ¶8. (C) PDAS Warlick thanked Djalal for the GOI's contribution to UNIFIL and asked whether Indonesia would consider participation in other peacekeeping operations. Djalal said that the Indonesian military's capacities were limited but that SBY would consider other requests, including Iraq. Djalal emphasized that the GOI would only consider participating in peacekeeping operations in Iraq if a viable political settlement were in place. He referred to SBY's November 20 comments to President Bush on Iraq (ref B para 12),and said that any settlement could only be based on what the Iraqis want. Reconciliation among sectarian factions, he said, was essential. ¶9. (U) PDAS Warlick has not had an opportunity to review this message. HEFFERN