CODEL FEINGOLD MEETS INDONESIAN ATTORNEY GENERAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002530 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS CODEL DEPT FOR EAP/MTS DOJ FOR CTS THORNTON, AAG SWARTZ FBI FOR ETTIU/SSA ROTH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV KJUS OREP ASEC ID SUBJECT: CODEL FEINGOLD MEETS INDONESIAN ATTORNEY GENERAL REF: A. STATE 22610 CODEL FEINGOLD ¶B. JAKARTA 1015 AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH AG ON TIMIKA CASE ¶C. 05 JAKARTA 15427 ANTI-TERROR TEAM OF MUSLIM LEADERS ¶D. 05 JAKARTA 12259 AG FORMS CT TASK FORCE ¶E. 05 JAKARTA 4077 WHAT JUDGES REALLY SAID ABOUT BA'ASYIR SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Senator Russell Feingold called on Indonesian Attorney General Abdul Rachman Saleh on February 22. The Senator opened with questions regarding the status of the Timika case and received assurance that the Attorney General's Office will follow the evidence and expects to convict those currently in police custody. When asked about the Terrorism and Transnational Crime Taskforce, the AG said it should be operational in one month. Saleh noted the GOI's successes in its anti-corruption efforts, and Senator Feingold ended the meeting by noting his personal interest in the success of the Truth and Friendship Commission on East Timor. End Summary. Senator Feingold meets AG Saleh -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Senator Feingold called on Indonesian Attorney General Abdul Rachman Saleh on February 22. The Senator was accompanied by Foreign Policy Adviser Grey Frandsen, Senate Intelligence Committee staff member Evan Gottesman, and the Ambassador. Deputy Attorney General Basrief Arief, Special Assistant to the AG Muhammad Salim, Prosecutor Narendra Jatna, and Spokesperson Masyudi Ridwan accompanied AG Saleh. Senator Feingold said that as a longtime follower of Indonesia, he appreciates the importance of the U.S.-Indonesian bilateral relationship and believes the USG should emphasize it more in its foreign policy. Saleh noted his upcoming trip to Washington and his hopes for a productive visit. Timika Investigation Proceeds -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Senator asked the AG about the status of Anthonious Wamang, who was indicted in the U.S. for the 2002 ambush and killing of two U.S. citizens (ref B). Saleh replied that the case dossier remains with the Indonesian National Police who continue to investigate and develop their evidence. Once they have completed the dossier, the Attorney General's Office will review the evidence and prepare for trial, a process they expect will last for two months. AG Saleh said the case seemed "not too complicated" to prosecute but acknowledged that he has not seen the evidence. When asked about the role of the FBI in the investigation, Saleh responded that he believes it is useful, but ultimately the judges presiding over the case will rule on its usefulness. Senator Feingold asked that the AG seriously consider the FBI's continued involvement and stressed the need for accountability in this case even if the evidence points to GOI civilian or military involvement in the incident. AG Saleh said the GOI will follow the trail of evidence wherever it may lead but noted that military courts have jurisdiction over cases involving military actions and officers. Status of Terrorism and Transnational Crime Taskforce -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Senator Feingold asked about the status of the Terrorism and Transnational Crime Taskforce which Saleh officially created in September 2005 (ref D). Saleh and his staff members stated that they continue to select personnel to staff the new unit but have identified and nearly completed preparing a space in which the Taskforce will work. They hope it will be operational in one month. Saleh said the GOI continues its fight against terrorism; the Yudhoyono Administration takes the issue seriously, having recently expanded the scope of its CT efforts to include religious leaders and political parties rather than only GOI law enforcement officials (ref C). Senator Feingold asked about the relative strength of the terrorist organization Jemaah Islamiyah (JI),and Saleh responded that it remains a small JAKARTA 00002530 002 OF 002 extremist faction. Saleh and his staff noted that Indonesian courts have stated in their decisions that JI does exist and Abu Bakar Ba'asyir led the terrorists before his incarceration (ref E). Anti-Corruption Efforts -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Senator Feingold expressed the need to combat corruption and to prevent it from spawning other societal ills. Saleh proudly responded that the AGO nationwide has taken on nearly 500 corruption cases over the past year. Saleh said the current Cabinet represents the GOI's most serious effort in history to combat corruption, collusion, and nepotism and that his office has not shied away from prosecuting high-profile cases. Saleh pointed to the reorganization of the district and appeals courts to fall under the supervision of the Supreme Court as the most important aspect of judicial reform in recent years. Saleh also said that the Judicial Commission does not understand its mandate and continues to overreach. Saleh believes the Judicial Commission should not be allowed to review the performance of Supreme Court Justices nor to review decision made by judges (unless evidence of corruption exists) as such actions would lead to a politicized Court. Saleh stated that strong AGO efforts to prosecute corrupt judges would most effectively clean up the institution. Truth and Friendship Commission -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Senator Feingold concluded the meeting with questions on East Timor and again stressed the need for accountability and justice. Saleh said that he could not yet evaluate the performance of the Truth and Friendship Commission as it has not yet had enough time to produce results. He and Senator Feingold noted the seemingly good relationship between the Indonesian and Timorese presidents, and Senator Feingold noted the USG's and his personal interest in the future work of the Commission. ¶7. Codel Feingold has cleared this message. PASCOE