INDONESIA: A/S HILLEN'S MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001817

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2016
TAGS: MASS MARR PREL PGOV ID
SUBJECT: INDONESIA: A/S HILLEN'S MEETING WITH DEPARTMENT OF
FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY GENERAL COTAN

Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER RAYMOND RICHHART. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND
(D).


1. (C) Summary: Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs
Secretary General Imron Cotan February 1 expressed to

SIPDIS
Assistant Secretary John Hillen his great pleasure that the
U.S. had taken steps to end the "embargo" on
military-to-military cooperation and suggested that the
countries needed to start further cooperation. Openly
pleased with the new bilateral dynamic possible following the
U.S. decision, he raised with the Ambassador and the
Assistant Secretary areas in which he wished to see greater
U.S. involvement to further strengthen bilateral
understanding. The Ambassador pressed Cotan to engage to
resolve two bilateral issues: prospective regulations that
would limit foreign broadcasting in Indonesia; and the case
of a U.S. citizen, David William Ray, who was currently being
tried on immigration charges in Madura. End Summary.


2. (C) Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Political
Military Affairs, Dr. John Hillen, following day-long
political-military discussions with the Indonesian
Government, called on Imron Cotan, the Department of Foreign
Affairs' new Secretary General. Just returned to Jakarta
following his tenure as Indonesian Ambassador to Australia,
Cotan exuded obvious interest in becoming personally involved
in the bilateral U.S.-Indonesia relationship. He expressed
to A/S Hillen his great pleasure that the U.S. had taken
steps to end the "embargo" on military-to-military
cooperation, noting that the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI)
had decayed and become ineffective. He expressed thanks for
the Administration's initiative and noted that the countries
needed to start further cooperation. A/S Hillen responded
that the U.S. was also pleased, although some in the U.S. did
not want to see the U.S. and Indonesia move forward in
mil-to-mil cooperation. He acknowledged that Indonesia still
faced important challenges and the
U.S. would continue to seek to help in this regard.

Grassroots Perceptions and Education
--------------


3. (C) Cotan said he wished to raise his concern that at the
grassroots level in Indonesia perceptions of the West
"remained wrong." The only way to correct these
misperceptions was through education. The GOI had programs
and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) had the ability
to act directly. If possible, however, he wanted the U.S. to
consider assistance to build an education infrastructure so
the grass roots could see how Indonesia and the U.S. can work
cooperatively together on Indonesia's future. Indonesia's
education sector should be a priority. Establishment of
centers of education -- at first in Java and in Aceh -- could
move forward democratization of the country.


4. (C) The Ambassador responded that the U.S. had in place a
USD 157 million education program to assist in teacher
training and other efforts to improve basic education. He
added that the U.S. was working on a concrete proposal and
pushing hard for funding for a Peace Corps program for
Indonesia. Cotan said that DEPLU had available to it some
money for education centers in Nias and Aceh (Note: We
understand from DEPLU contact that DEPLU has funding for
"long-term goals" made available from donations for Tsunami
relief. End comment.) Cotan said he needed assistance to
expand such a program to other areas. Schools built with
U.S. assistance could have a plaque that stated "Built by the
USA." The result, he suggested, would be that "then the
struggle against terrorism would be a lot easier." The
Ambassador assured Cotan that the U.S. strongly supported
education initiatives for Indonesia.

Iran's Nuclear Program
--------------


5. (C) Cotan said that he had discussed with Foreign
Minister Wirajuda U.S. concerns regarding Iran's nuclear
program. He understood that President Yudhoyono did not wish
to rush to bring the issue to the UNSC. Cotan emphasized
that Indonesia "fully shared the concerns of the U.S." and
did not want Iran to be a nuclear weapons country. He noted
that if Iran cut off oil exports, serious economic
difficulties would result from increased oil prices. He
suggested that if the issue were sent to the UNSC it could
cause a "crescent of instability" from Afghanistan through

JAKARTA 00001817 002 OF 002


Iran to Iraq. For Indonesia, the issue was "more or less a
domestic concern" with popular charges that the West had
imposed a "double standard" in the case of Iran because it is
an Islamic country.


6. (C) The Ambassador replied that he understood the issue
would go to the UNSC. He noted it was important Indonesia
take responsibility in an area in which it professed concern.
Cotan said that Foreign Minister Wirajuda had made clear
during his visit to Iran January 25 that Iran pursue the
Russian offer and remain engaged with the IAEA. He said that
Indonesia had to remain very careful; Indonesia wanted to
contribute positively in the matter, but it did not believe
that confrontation was an option. Once the issue was in the
hands of the UNSC, Indonesia could not control the process
and Indonesia was very concerned with the domestic reaction.


7. (C) A/S Hillen told Cotan that President Yudhoyono had
achieved such stature in the U.S. that it would be a shame if
he were to be seen as an out-player on this issue. He added
he did not want to see the U.S.-Indonesian
military-to-military relationship damaged because of Iran.
Cotan replied that Indonesia had decided to get involved, but
that limitations remained, and Indonesia wanted to avoid any
measures that would "create uneasiness." The Ambassador
responded that the U.S. strongly wished for Indonesia to have
a more energetic foreign policy and wished for it to become
more active. Cotan replied that Indonesia currently was
drafting the ASEAN Charter and had decided it must "be out
front" in the region and had to pursue these ideas. The U.S.
should help Indonesia progress forward.

Dealing with the U.S. Congress
--------------


8. (C) Cotan said Indonesia needed help on dealing with the
U.S. Congress and asked that the Administration please advise
a course of action. He emphasized that Indonesia wanted a
"stable relationship" with the U.S. The Ambassador responded
that two current issues needed DEPLU attention: regulations
with limits on foreign broadcasting that would adversely
affect VOA and BBC broadcasting in Indonesia; and the case of
a U.S. citizen, David William Ray, who was currently being
tried on immigration charges in Madura. These were issues
that the Indonesian government should have resolved before
they became public problems. Now, even if they are
ultimately resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, it
will be very difficult for Indonesia to overcome the initial
bad press it will receive in the United States. The
Ambassador asked that DEPLU turn its attention to both
issues. Cotan undertook to look into the issues and to raise
them with the Minister of Justice and Human Rights.


9. (U) A/S Hillen cleared this cable.
PASCOE