MUNIR CASE: AMBASSADOR SIGNALS CONTINUED U.S.

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 004757 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, AND DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6 X6 TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL PINR KCRM KJUS ID SUBJECT: MUNIR CASE: AMBASSADOR SIGNALS CONTINUED U.S. FOCUS ON JUSTICE; WIDOW PLANS SECOND VISIT TO DC REF: A. 05 JAKARTA 16710 - POLLYCARPUS CONVICTED ¶B. 05 JAKARTA 15680 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: POLITICAL OFFICER MARK D. CLARK, REASON 1.6 X6. Summary -------------- ¶1. (S) In an April 11 meeting intended to signal continued U.S. concern over the Munir case, Suciwati, the widow of the murdered human rights campaigner, told the Ambassador of her plan to visit Washington in late April as part of a schedule organized by U.S. human rights groups. The visit would include consultations on the Hill. The Ambassador encouraged Suciwati to call on the State Department, as she did last year, and to remain focused on her goal of justice for Munir. Suciwati and four accompanying human rights advocates described impediments to the on-going police investigation ranging from alleged obstruction of justice to lack of commitment on the part of senior police officials. The activists remained convinced of the guilt of former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) officials Hendropriyono and Muchdi Purwopranjono, and alleged that Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi had stated that these same BIN figures orchestrated the May 2005 Tentena bombing in Central Sulawesi. The lead police investigator told us that an "intensive" investigation continued but in a confidential manner due to the nature of the suspects, and that building a solid case would require more time. The Ambassador pressed Presidential Advisor Dino Djalal on the importance of moving forward with the investigation and uncovering the conspiracy. End Summary. Ambassador Invites Suciwati -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Ambassador invited Suciwati to the Embassy on April 11 to discuss the investigation into her husband's murder by poisoning in September 2004, as well as her future steps. Suciwati chose four leading human rights activists to join her: Usman Hamid of the NGO Kontras; Rachland Nashidik of the NGO Imparsail; Rafendi Djamin of the Human Rights Coalition; and Binny Buchori of Infid. The Ambassador recalled his initial meeting with Suciwati in November 2004, and reiterated U.S. support for justice in this case, exemplified by the strong statement issued after the December 2005 conviction of Garuda Airlines pilot Pollycarpus. The Ambassador noted that we had conveyed our concerns to President Yudhoyono and National Police Chief Sutanto, as well as other officials responsible for the case. Washington Travel in Late April -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Suciwati explained that she would travel to the U.S. on or about April 23 to keep international attention on the case. (She went to Washington in June 2005.) Human Rights First and Human Rights Watch would organize the visit, which would include stops in Washington, New York, the University of Ohio and locations with sizable Indonesian communities. In Washington, Suciwati intended to meet members and staff in Congress, and ask whether they had a response from President Yudhoyono to their letter earlier this year. While still forming her approach, Suciwati thought that the U.S. could bring pressure to bear by reexamining assistance to Indonesian police and military. The Ambassador recommended that Suciwati call on State Department officials (in G, DRL and EAP),as she had in her last visit, and promised to inform the Department. He also advised her to refrain from calling for restrictions on U.S. assistance and to remain focused on the objective of achieving justice for her husband's murder. Disappointed With Probe -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Suciwati and the human rights leaders voiced disappointment in the apparent lack of progress in the investigation since the conviction of Pollycarpus in December. They complained of receiving "only political statements, not concrete action," despite President Yudhoyono's public and private commitment to justice in this case. Convinced of Hendro, Muchdi Guilt -------------- JAKARTA 00004757 002 OF 003 ¶5. (S) The activists, two of whom served on the president-appointed Fact Finding Team (TPF),confirmed they remained convinced that former BIN officials Hendropriyono and Muchdi Purwopranjono had plotted the crime. In addition to the documented cell phone contacts between Pollycarpus and Muchdi, prior to the conclusion of the TPF's mandate a BIN member had provided the Palace with written evidence of Hendropriyono's knowledge and approval of plans to kill Munir and details of various methods, including poisoning. The document also mentioned the possible involvement of Garuda employees. (Comment: In July 2005, a well-established police contact provided us with a similar account of this document. End Comment.) Allegations Against Senior Police Officials -------------- ¶6. (S) The activists questioned whether Yudhoyono could rely on the police to conclude the investigation, and argued for some independent, legally empowered inquiry or monitoring mechanism. They alleged that senior police officials in the Criminal Investigative Division (CID) had actively obstructed justice or not supported the investigation. Reportedly, current CID chief Makbul Padmanagara had stymied the earlier investigative phase led by Marsudhi Hanafi, with Makbul declaring himself a friend of Hendropriyono and warning that Makbul must approve of actions and findings in the case. Makbul attempted to block evidence implicating BIN officials, including incriminating telephone records. Makbul eventually had Marsudhi transferred to a job without portfolio. The activists stated that Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi had opposed Makbul's promotion as CID chief, which took place before Yudhoyono could name Sutanto as the new National Police Chief. In addition to links with Hendropriyono, Makbul reportedly had strong ties to Megawati's opposition Indonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI-P). ¶7. (S) The activists described Makbul's deputy, Gories Mere, as not sufficiently committed to the case. Dealing with many urgent issues, Gories allegedly viewed the case as not among the highest priorities, particularly given the political obstacles. Surya Dharma, the new director of CID's Directorate I, which has charge of the case, also had obstructed the investigation at an earlier phase and could not be trusted. Anton Charilyan, head of the field investigation, remained credible and committed, but did not hold a sufficiently senior position. (Comment: In mid-2005, Anton reportedly received a quiet award from the Palace for refusing a suitcase of cash, offered to him personally by Hendropriyono in a Jakarta hotel room. End Comment.) They saw National Police Chief Sutanto as misinformed, misled, or uninterested in the matter. Tentena Bombing -------------- ¶8. (S) The activists alleged that Sudi Silalahi had stated that former BIN senior officials Hendropriyono and Muchdi had orchestrated the May 2005 Tentena bombing in Central Sulawesi, allegedly as a warning against proceeding further with the probe and prosecutions. (Comment: The investigation into the Tentena bombing has not achieved results and currently authorities do not hold anyone in connection with the attack, which killed 21 people. End Comment). The former TPF members reiterated claims that an angered Sudi had asked at that time (May/June 2005) if the TPF could arrest the two former BIN officials. (Comment: The suggestion appears far-fetched, given that TPF could not compel testimony from witnesses or suspects, let alone effect an arrest. End Comment.) Police Investigator: Proceeding Quietly, Need More Time -------------- -------------- ¶9. (S) We met lead investigator Anton Charilyan (protect) on March 22. He expressed confidence he would have two or three formal suspects ready to announce in some two months time. We touched base with Anton Charilyan again on April 12 and noted that Suciwati had spoken with the Ambassador. Anton responded via cell phone text message, as follows: "Regarding the (Munir) case, up until this moment we are still carrying out the investigation in an intensive manner, JAKARTA 00004757 003 OF 003 but we are doing this in a very confidential way because we are not up against ordinary people (suspects). Suci, on the other hand, wants us to announce each development. If this is carried out like the last investigation phase, only as a means to bolster the personal popularity of certain individuals, then in the end it will reveal to (our) opponents the every step of the police investigation. We have already uncovered the basic outline of the story, but we are still attempting to find supportive witnesses and other evidence, very minimal up until now, so that our conclusions can stand as a credible legal case later in court. And this work, of course, cannot be completed in a short period of time. Moreover, if there is a set deadline for completing the investigation, this will really create difficulties for us." Ambassador Presses Presidential Advisor -------------- ¶10. (S) On April 12, the Ambassador raised U.S. attention to the Munir case with Presidential advisor Dino Djalal, noting his second meeting with Suciwati at the Embassy and her plan to travel to Washington. The Ambassador pressed Djalal on the importance of a credible investigation that leads to uncovering of the conspiracy and appropriate justice. Comment -------------- ¶11. (S) We intended this latest meeting with Suciwati to signal to the GOI and others our continued attention to the Munir investigation, as well as to hear Suciwati's views and those of the human rights community. We will continue to discuss the case with senior GOI interlocutors, including the National Police Chief. In Washington, Suciwati will likely echo the sentiments she expressed to the Ambassador, painting a dark picture of the on-going investigation and expressing her distrust of the police. Her meetings in the State Department will present another important opportunity to convey continued U.S. concern for justice for her husband's murder. PASCOE