NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR MEETS GOI ON ASIAN DEMOCRACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001986

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS; EAP/MLS; EAP/RSP; DRL/PHD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2017
TAGS: ID KDEM KISL PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR MEETS GOI ON ASIAN DEMOCRACY
PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE


Classified By: Joseph L. Novak, Counselor for Political Affairs, for re
asons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Indonesian legislators and senior Department
of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) officials commented favorably on
the Asia Democracy Partnership (ADP) initiative during July
18 meetings with William Inboden, Senior Director for
Strategic Planning, National Security Council (NSC).
Legislators proposed to Inboden an inter-parliamentary
exchange as one of the ADP's first possible activities.
Director General of American and European Affairs, Eddi
Hariyadhi, said the ADP concept is timely but expressed
reservations about its make-up and how it is presented,
wanting to avoid the perception that the U.S. is "imposing"
its values on Indonesia and the rest of Asia. Hariyadhi
pledged to brief Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda on ADP soon
and reply to us with the informal GOI position. End Summary.


2. (C) Inboden, accompanied by Paul Lettow, Senior Advisor
to U/S for Democracy and Global Affairs, and Poloff met with
three members of the House of Representatives (DPR) and
separately with DEPLU officials July 18 to solicit
Indonesia's feedback and support for the proposed ADP. ADP
would be a coalition of democratic governments partnering to
promote and strengthen democratic values and institutions.
Inboden explained that the initial proposed "core group"
would include Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, New
Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea and the U.S. During
meetings in New Delhi, officials there suggested that
Indonesia would be a key member of ADP and a good candidate
to host the first ADP meeting, Inboden told Indonesian
interlocutors. He said ADP might have an initial gathering
on the margins of the November Community of Nations meeting
in Bamako, Mali, and that a notional time for the first
meeting would be January or February, 2008 with Indonesia
being a top choice as the venue.


3. (C) The three DPR members reacted very positively to ADP
and proposed that one of the first activities be a
parliamentary exchange. Djoko Susilo of the National Mandate
Party (PAN),Nursyahbani Katjasungkana of the National
Awaking Party (PKB),and Jefrey Massie of the Peace
Prosperous Party (PDS),all said they welcomed the first ADP
meeting taking place in Indonesia, suggesting that a launch
venue in a predominantly Muslim city would be symbolically
advantageous. However, Susilo cautioned that hard-line
nationalists could exploit ADP to accuse President
Yudhoyono,s administration of catering to U.S. interests.
However, he added that if the GOI properly briefs the DPR
prior to joining, there should not be political repercussions
to the GOI's participation.


4. (C) During the DEPLU meeting with Director General
Hariyadhi and Harry Purwanto, the North American Desk Chief,
Hariyadhi told Inboden he was pleased that we had already
discussed ADP with DPR members. He explained that Indonesia
is increasing its diplomatic efforts to promote democracy and
that Asian values and democratic values are compatible.
Hariyadhi said the substance of ADP is "interesting," adding,
"I have no problem with the idea whatsoever, only in how we
do it."


5. (C) Hariyadhi then raised some questions, asking why the
U.S. and Canada are included in an "Asian" partnership, and
suggesting that calling it the Asia Pacific Democratic
Partnership (APDP) would offer sufficient cover. He said ADP
must deal with sensitivities that the U.S. is imposing its
values on Asia since Indonesians see democracy first and
foremost as "homegrown8. Hariyadhi also pointed out that
ASEAN is just now hoping to adopt a charter promoting
democracy after 40 years, so that the proposed ADP activity
to develop an "Asian Democracy Charter" might be moving "too
much for some Asian countries to chew."


6. (C) Inboden and Lettow noted that the ADP could help spur
a faster pace of democracy activities among Asian countries
Inboden agreed that ADP must be &voluntary8 and &demand
driven,8 based on real needs to share knowledge of
successful democratic practices. Inboden also suggested that
ADP might merely agree to democratic principles already

JAKARTA 00001986 002 OF 002


agreed upon by the UN or the Community of Democracies.


7. (C) Hariyadhi asked if ADP would be announced by
President Bush this year and would Indonesia be kept informed
of developments. Inboden said an announcement would occur
only if there is a consensus among key nations, that we would
keep the GOI informed of progress and that we would like to
know if Indonesia wants to join. Hariyadhi said he would
consult with the foreign minister and let us know the GOI
reaction.


8. (SBU) Inboden and Lettow approved this message.
HUME