PREPARING FOR THE MARITIME BORDER CONTROL NEEDS

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 007378

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016
TAGS: PTER ASEC EFIN KCRM KHLS KPAO ID
SUBJECT: PREPARING FOR THE MARITIME BORDER CONTROL NEEDS
ASSESSMENT

REF: A. STATE 87696 B. BANGKOK 2270 C.JAKARTA 1454

Classified By: Political Officer David Willis for reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).


1. (U) This is an action request:see paragraph 8.


2. (S) Summary: Embassy Jakarta strongly supports S/CT's Ref
A interest in a border control needs assessment for the
Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia triborder area. Post
agrees that host nation support is essential and will discuss
the potential needs assessment at a June 12 meeting with the
GOI's Maritime Security Agency (BAKORKALMA) and during
subsequent discussions with appropriate police, Immigration,
and Customs officials. Post recommends moving visit by
assessment team from July/August to September/October to
enable coordination with host governments. Post recommends
assessment team comprise no more than three to five persons
and urges that Embassy's existing knowledge and talent base
form the core of the assessment teams. Post recommends that
official ports of entry be the initial strategic target.
Heightened GOI sensitivities on CT issues suggest that a
focus on transnational crime, to include terrorism, may avoid
engendering unnecessary criticism. End Summary


3. (S) Post appreciates S/CT's Ref A proposal for a
DS/ATA-funded border control needs assessment for the
Indonesia, Philippines, and Malaysia triborder area. As
determined during the Southeast Asia CT Regional Strategic
Initiative (REFS B and C),a technical needs assessment is
key to determining the next steps to secure this key border
area. Jakarta's Maritime Security Working Group reviewed and
discussed the proposal and provides below several concerns
and recommendations for S/CT and DS/ATA's further
consideration. Post looks forward to further discussions in
this critical area.

SOLICITING HOST NATION VIEWS
--------------


4. (S) We have not yet met with GOI officials to discuss the
proposal, but agree that host nation approval and buy-in is
critical to conduct a program in these often-sensitive border
areas. We will present the concept at a June 12 meeting with
Andi Amir Husein, head the GOI's Maritime Security Agency
(BAKORKALMA),located in the Coordinating Ministry for
Politics, Law and Security (MENKOPOLHUKAM). As a
coordinating agency with participation from the Indonesian
Armed Forces (TNI),Immigration and Customs Services, we will
explore whether BAKORKALMA could serve as a useful central
point of contact for the proposal. Following our initial
BAKORKALMA meeting, we plan discussions with appropriate
Indonesian National Police (INP),Immigration, and Customs
officials to obtain their views and interest in increasing
cooperation in the triborder area.


5. (S) Post appreciates S/CT interest in moving forward
quickly on REF A proposal, but may require more time to work
with GOI offices unaccustomed to close cooperation or that
have competing agendas. The PACOM sponsored triborder
tabletop exercise scheduled for late August will involve
triborder military, police, immigration, and customs
officials; it may serve as a useful springboard to conducting
an assessment in September or October.

SIZE OF ASSESSMENT TEAM
--------------


6. (S) Embassy Jakarta requests S/CT and DS/ATA closely
review the size of the assessment team. We are very
concerned that an assessment team of more than three to five
persons may weaken GOI support. Post maintains a strong
talent and knowledge base with expertise in assessing
security issues and we encourage using these resources,
including regional ICE and NCIS representatives, to further
decrease the assessment team's overall footprint.

FOCUS OF ASSESSMENT
--------------


7. (S) Post recommends that the assessment team focus on
potential efforts to secure the official access points that
ring the triborder area to legitimize cross-border transit.
Key ports of entry on the Indonesian side include Nunukan,
Tarakan, Toli-Toli, Manado, and Tahuna. Such a more focused

JAKARTA 00007378 002 OF 002


approach could also encourage clearer measures of
effectiveness. As the result of heightened GOI sensitivities
on CT issues in recent weeks, Post recommends identifying
transnational crime, including terrorism, as the focus of the
assessment to avoid engendering unnecessary criticism.

ACTION REQUEST
--------------


8. (C) Action request: Post requests S/CT and DS/ATA
forward details of REF A proposal on border control needs
assessment for the Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia
triborder area.

PASCOE