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