RECOMMENDATION TO RESCHEDULE JULY JCET WITH TNI'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001697 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP, EAP/MTS DOD FOR USDP/ISA/AP E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2017 TAGS: MARR PREL PHUM ID SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION TO RESCHEDULE JULY JCET WITH TNI'S KOPASSUS REF: A. JAKARTA 1075 ¶B. JAKARTA 1246 ¶C. JAKARTA 1525 Classified By: CDA John A. Heffern, for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission Country Team has determined there is insufficient time to complete human-rights vetting for the Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) scheduled to begin July 23 with KOPASSUS, the Indonesian Special Forces. The Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) will provide the necessary biographical information to begin vetting only after a clear decision to proceed with the event. Mission and TNI therefore recommend postponing the event until FY2008. End summary. ¶2. (C) Reftel B raised concerns about recent events involving KOPASSUS and announced Mission's intention to postpone the JCET scheduled for July 2007 pending instructions from Washington. Reftel C subsequently reported further developments of concern. Meanwhile, human-rights concerns affecting budget negotiations in Washington have delayed a final decision on the JCET. ¶3. (C) With little more than a month remaining, Mission country Team has determined we would be unable to conduct a proper vetting of the two dozen nominated participants for the July JCET. An incomplete process would prevent the event from proceeding, while an artificially expedited process would not deliver the reliability demanded for Indonesia and for an inaugural event with KOPASSUS, in particular. Vetting must be done in a measured, professional manner commensurate with the gravity of the issues it represents. ¶4. (C) As a result of recent format changes in our vetting questionnaires and a dialogue with the TNI regarding the purpose and process of vetting, we have recently established a good level of transparency and cooperation with the TNI on vetting. Neither we nor the TNI wish to jeopardize that cooperation with an abortive vetting process that fails to lead to a successful JCET. KOPASSUS, in particular, which very much wants to reengage with our military, wants this process to run smoothly. From the TNI perspective, it would be inappropriate to proceed with vetting until the JCET has received formal approval. ¶5. (C) Accordingly, the Mission Country Team and the TNI recommend that the July JCET with KOPASSUS be postponed until the next fiscal year, ideally in the fall of 2007. We believe this to be in the best interests of our military-to-military relationship over the longer term. HEFFERN