AMBASSADOR CAMERON R. HUME PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO

UNCLAS JAKARTA 002073 SIPDIS SIPDIS PASS TO EAP/FO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT APER SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR CAMERON R. HUME PRESENTS CREDENTIALS TO INDONESIAN PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO REF: 07 JAKARTA 2069 ¶1. On August 1 Ambassador Hume, along with the new Ambassadors from Libya, Spain, Sri Lanka, and Argentina, presented credentials to President Yudhoyono. In the joint audience following the ceremony President Yudhoyono described his goals to be the strengthening of democracy in Indonesia, the expansion of the economy for the benefit of all Indonesians, and a positive international role for Indonesia. He cited the benefits of cooperation on anti-terrorism, and he spoke about Indonesia,s desire to play a constructive role on environmental issues, including the hosting of the COP-13 Climate Change conference in Bali this December. His visit to New York for the UN General Assembly, September 24-25, would include a meeting on environmental issues. ¶2. President Yudhoyono expressed concern that present difficulties in some parts of the world, such as Iraq, not be used to stoke religious antagonisms or to justify intolerance. He had presided over Iraq,s victory in the Asian Soccer tournament in Jakarta a few days earlier, and he hoped that the situation in Iraq was now changing for the better. Finally, he urged the new ambassadors to meet not only with government officials but also with leaders of civil society and Indonesian businessmen. Indonesia was undergoing significant change, and leaders outside the government were making important contributions. ¶3. In comments addressed to Ambassador Hume, Yudhoyono said he appreciated Indonesia,s growing partnership with the United States and looked forward to meeting President Bush during the APEC Summit in Sydney. He thanked the Ambassador for his assistance in resolving the commercial dispute between Nike and one of its local suppliers (reftel). Hume responded that the United States government wanted to build a stronger relationship with Indonesia and shared the goal of a well-governed, democratic Indonesia able to provide opportunities for all of its citizens. HUME