CODEL KOLBE CALLS ON PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 002490 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER KISL MARR OVIP ID IR SUBJECT: CODEL KOLBE CALLS ON PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO Classified By: Amb. B. Lynn Pascoe, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On February 21, President Yudhoyono presented the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) delegation headed by Representative Jim Kolbe with a lengthy description of his priorities including reform, continued democratization, increased economic prosperity, Aceh and Papua. He raised his commitment to fight terrorism, enhance regional cooperation, continue military reform, work with East Timor and contain avian influenza. Mr. Kolbe praised SBY's accomplishment and briefed on the HDAC's work to increase inter-parliamentary cooperation. Other members of the delegation shared their positive impressions of working with their Indonesian counterparts and emphasized the importance of working together to fight radicalism. ¶2. (C) SBY explained that Indonesia's policy on Iran's nuclear program was 90 percent the same as the West, but Jakarta wanted to wait for the upcoming IAEA report on March ¶6. SBY told the Ambassador separately that he would tell Iran's Foreign Minister of the necessity for Iran to follow all IAEA rules. SBY said he believes that Islam, democracy and modernity are compatible; spoke of his work to encourage moderation and interfaith dialogue, but closed noting that reforms cannot only be structural, but require a change in mindset within society, not only among military personnel but civilians as well. End Summary ¶3. (C) President Yudhoyono received members of the House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) led by Representative James Kolbe (R-AZ) on Feb. 21. Mr. Kolbe was accompanied by Representative Lois Capps (D-CA),Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Mr. Doug Bereuter, President of the Asia Foundation. HDAC Staff Director John Lis and Professional Staff Members Robert Lawrence and Dan Getz and the Ambassador escorted the Members of Congress. Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Widodo A.S., Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono, State Secretary Yusril Mahendra and Armed Forces (TNI) Commander Djoko Suyanto joined SBY. SBY's Goals -------------- ¶4. (C) SBY opened by greeting the delegation and welcoming Mr. Kolbe back to Indonesia. He expressed the hope that the delegation would be able to see for itself the reforms, democratization and economic progress marking the country. Characterizing bilateral relations and cooperation as developing well, SBY expressed his thankfulness for all those in Washington who were making that possible, including the new era of cooperation made possible by the reestablishment of military to military relations. SBY described himself as facing three tests: instituting reforms, advancing democracy and promoting reconstruction after the economic crisis of ¶1997. He listed his additional challenges as reconstructing Aceh after the tsunami, ensuring full implementation of the peace process there and solving the conflict in Papua peacefully in the context of implementing special autonomy. Counterterrorism and Regional Cooperation -------------- ¶5. (C) Turning to counterterrorism, SBY said Indonesia would continue efforts to fight terrorists directly, while at the same time strengthening moderates internally and enhancing international cooperation, notably with close friends such as ASEAN, Australia and the U.S. He cited recent agreement to increase cooperation in the Sulawesi Sea region with the Philippines and Malaysia. SBY then cited further goals as strengthening good governance internally and the fight against corruption, ensuring a "proper role in the region" and maintaining good relations with Australia, East Timor and New Zealand and encourage the progress of democracy in Southeast Asia. Continuing Military Reform -------------- ¶6. (C) SBY cited the need to continue military reform. Specifically, the TNI needs to be totally disengaged from politics, increase its professionalism, and deal with past human rights problems. SBY noted his meeting the previous week with East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao on how to cooperate on dealing with the events of 1999. He said that the bilateral Commission on Truth and Friendship had just JAKARTA 00002490 002 OF 003 submitted a report on its work to date. Indonesia wants a just and proper solution that also thinks about the future of the relationship between the two countries. The President closed by citing Indonesian cooperation with Singapore and NAMRU-II in the fight against avian influenza. Much Progress Has Been Made -------------- ¶7. (C) Representative Kolbe thanked SBY for receiving the delegation and congratulated him on his success to date. Mr. Kolbe praised the political settlement in Aceh, citing Representative Wexler's nomination of SBY for the Nobel Peace Prize. While a few years ago there was concern about cooperation on counterterrorism, that is no longer the case. The people of both the U.S. and Indonesia have suffered from terrorism; the GOI has now been aggressive and forthright in its approach. Struck by the change of the last ten years, Mr. Kolbe said that progress since the 1997 economic crisis is apparent. Mr. Kolbe recalled his visit to Aceh in January 2005, and cited the joint efforts to rebuild the province. The Mission of the HDAC -------------- ¶8. (C) Representative Kolbe briefed the Mission on the HDAC, noting that it was created as Congress' response to a call by President Bush for the United States to serve as a beacon for democracy. Mr. Kolbe explained that the commission is bi-partisan and intended to increase direct contacts between parliaments. Citing the impressive interlocutors with whom they met, Mr. Kolbe noted that the Indonesian legislature (DPR) was most focused on acquiring more control of its budget and staff, instead of depending on the civil service. The Commission was invited by Speaker Laksono and came to share ideas, not to attempt to direct how local procedures may evolve. Mr. Kolbe closed by noting that SBY has many friends and admirers in Washington. Democracies Should Work Together -------------- ¶9. (C) Representative Capps commented that the U.S. and Indonesia have much in common and hoped that the work between the legislatures of the two countries will be replicated elsewhere. She emphasized the importance of democracies embracing one another and becoming more knowledgeable about each other. Each of the four Members of Congress had met individually with a party faction in the DPR, and Ms. Capps found this open exchange of ideas to be favorable for increased mutual understanding. She added that the enthusiasm of DPR members was refreshing. The Iran Nuclear Program -------------- ¶10. (C) Representative Schiff praised SBY's policy advances in the areas of counterterrorism, Aceh, removing fuel subsidies as courageous. Mr. Schiff cited praise from members of the DPR from other parties for SBY's accomplishments. Mr. Schiff requested the President to elucidate Indonesia's position on Iran's nuclear program. SBY responded that in principle Indonesia's stance is quite the same as Western countries. The difference was allowing more time before action was taken reporting Iran to the UNSC. Indonesia hopes for Iranian cooperation with the IAEA, but believes that action would be best in March following the issuance of the next IAEA report. For that reason Indonesia abstained on the recent resolution. The President said Jakarta's position is 90 percent the same as other countries: he wants Iran to fully comply with IAEA provisions to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes and not to make weapons. The next report will be issued in some two weeks and, relying on its substance, a decision can be made on whether to report Iran to the UNSC. Separately, SBY told the Ambassador that he would make clear during an upcoming visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister that Iran must strictly adhere to IAEA requirements. The Importance of Moderation -------------- ¶11. (C) Representative Schwartz noted that as a new member of Congress herself, she and her counterparts discussed how to get up to speed quickly. She emphasized the importance of dialogue to enhance peace and prosperity and highlighted the importance of Indonesia's role as a moderating voice and serving as a partner in fighting radicalism. Preventing violence is in the interest of the United States and world JAKARTA 00002490 003 OF 003 peace. Islam, Democracy and Modernity are Compatible -------------- ¶12. (C) SBY responded that he believes that Islam, democracy and modernity can live together. He noted that he discusses the issue regularly with State Secretary Mahendra, who heads nn Islamic party (the Crescent Moon and Star Party) He hopes that Indonesia will be a model that eppowers moderates. While there is a radical element in the country, such people do not practice th true teachings of Islam that recognize harmony nnd diversity. SBY said he is working with the la ders of Turkey and Pakistan to reinforce moderateeelements in their countries and that Indonesia believes in the importance in supporting dialogue ad interfaith conferences. SBY said that the medaa of different countries would benefit from dialg"ue and intercultural contacts as well, given the controversy of the Prophet Mohammed cartoons. While recognizing the right for Muslims to be angry b"out the cartoons, SBY said that has counseled cllm, believes that differences can be bridged andt hat more opportunities should be created for ooing so. Representative Capps endorsed the need to combat ignorance and build more wisdom about Asi.* The Importance of IMET -------------- ¶13. (C) Mr. Bereuter spoke of the long role f" the Asia Foundation (TAF) in Indonesia, supporiing democracy through the mass Islamic organizations of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama. TAF is continuing to work to create civics courses for Islamic universities and schools. Mr. Bereuter praised Mr. Kolbe's work to remove restrictions on cooperation with the TNI. SBY noted his own attendance at several courses through IMET. He said that attending school in the U.S. was not only to develop professional skills, but to learn the democratic system. This was more important than the military subjects alone. By continuing this kind of program, the students learn to value other cultures as well as to improve their own systems. Mr. Kolbe noted that his own belief of the importance of IMET in building contacts and increasing understanding of values. He urged that Indonesia ensure that the right people go to future courses and stated his own commitment to increase funding. Fighting Avian Influenza -------------- ¶14. (C) Mr. Kolbe said that avian influenza remains a concern due to the large numbers of both human and avian cases in Indonesia. He expressed appreciation for SBY's commitment to try to prevent virus mutation in Indonesia. The world stands ready to assist. SBY replied that he had recently called in governors from seven provinces where increased activity was needed, including steps on a house to house basis. He praised the permission that Roche had given for tamiflu production. Reforms Require Cultural Change -------------- ¶15. (C) SBY closed by noting that making reforms requires a modification of mindsets within society. Reforms are not only structural but require culture to change as well. Not only does the military need to be educated, but civilians as well must understand the proper relationship in a democracy. The use of military power should only be with the agreement of the Parliament and making sure that the military understands its role in politics is important. When extensive reforms are implemented, minor problems are bound to arise. Despite these, SBY said his goals remain to increase the prosperity of his people and assist in democratization. PASCOE