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
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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

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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
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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
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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

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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