Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JAKARTA6770
2006-05-30 09:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT WITH INDONESIA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHJA #6770 1500957 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 300957Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4956 INFO RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 006770
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL KTIA EAID ID
SUBJECT: STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT WITH INDONESIA
REF: A. JAKARTA 6656
B. STATE 86516
Classified By: Amb. B. Lynn Pascoe, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 006770
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL KTIA EAID ID
SUBJECT: STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT WITH INDONESIA
REF: A. JAKARTA 6656
B. STATE 86516
Classified By: Amb. B. Lynn Pascoe, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) May 30, PolCouns pressed Harry Purwanto, Foreign
Ministry Director for North and Central American Affairs,
about our pending request for a temporary SOFA agreement in
connection with the Yogyakarta earthquake relief effort.
Purwanto replied that "internal consultations" were ongoing,
and said the Indonesians were concerned with provisions
relating to the possible carrying of weapons and uniforms by
U.S. military personnel. PolCouns replied that U.S. military
personnel were already on the ground in uniform, and that the
Office of the President had agreed to their use. The
question of weapons had been handled on the ground during the
Aceh and Nias emergencies in cooperation with the Indonesian
Armed Forces (TNI) without a problem. U.S. military
personnel have and would deal with weapons issues in a
sensitive manner. Purwanto mused that it might be best to
avoid the SOFA question altogether. PolCouns replied that an
agreement was vital in case there was an accident or similar
event, and urged that no changes be proposed by the
Indonesian side. Purwanto closed by saying he would not
decide the question, and that the Ministry would try to
provide an answer quickly.
2. (C) Comment: While not a formal answer, we take
Purwanto's comments to mean that the Foreign Ministry will
not be quick or easy, and it may well seek changes to the
January 2005 text, particularly with respect to weapons. We
will seek other avenues to pursue the issue within the GOI.
End Comment
PASCOE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: MARR MOPS PREL KTIA EAID ID
SUBJECT: STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT WITH INDONESIA
REF: A. JAKARTA 6656
B. STATE 86516
Classified By: Amb. B. Lynn Pascoe, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) May 30, PolCouns pressed Harry Purwanto, Foreign
Ministry Director for North and Central American Affairs,
about our pending request for a temporary SOFA agreement in
connection with the Yogyakarta earthquake relief effort.
Purwanto replied that "internal consultations" were ongoing,
and said the Indonesians were concerned with provisions
relating to the possible carrying of weapons and uniforms by
U.S. military personnel. PolCouns replied that U.S. military
personnel were already on the ground in uniform, and that the
Office of the President had agreed to their use. The
question of weapons had been handled on the ground during the
Aceh and Nias emergencies in cooperation with the Indonesian
Armed Forces (TNI) without a problem. U.S. military
personnel have and would deal with weapons issues in a
sensitive manner. Purwanto mused that it might be best to
avoid the SOFA question altogether. PolCouns replied that an
agreement was vital in case there was an accident or similar
event, and urged that no changes be proposed by the
Indonesian side. Purwanto closed by saying he would not
decide the question, and that the Ministry would try to
provide an answer quickly.
2. (C) Comment: While not a formal answer, we take
Purwanto's comments to mean that the Foreign Ministry will
not be quick or easy, and it may well seek changes to the
January 2005 text, particularly with respect to weapons. We
will seek other avenues to pursue the issue within the GOI.
End Comment
PASCOE