DUE TO INCIDENT IN DARFUR, INDONESIAN POLICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 002798 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, AF, AF/SPG, AF/SC, NSC FOR PITTMAN, HUDSON AND PHU, ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO MOPS SU UN ID SUBJECT: DUE TO INCIDENT IN DARFUR, INDONESIAN POLICE REVIEW PLANNED DEPLOYMENT REF: KHARTOUM 1535 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b,d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI has been moving forward with plans to deploy a police contingent to Darfur. In light of the recent attack on African Union troops, however, the Indonesian police are communicating with their advance team now in the region. The Indonesian government will make a decision regarding the scheduled deployment once it has more information. The GOI remains committed to the mission, but wants to proceed carefully. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) FIRST STEPS: The GOI has been moving forward with its plans for peacekeeping in Darfur. Right after UNSCR 1769 was agreed to in late July, the Indonesian government agreed to send an INP contingent to Darfur to assist UNAMID, the planned UN/African Union hybrid operation. The INP contingent's commanders have already been trained in Italy in preparation for the planned December 2007 deployment of about 145 officers total. There are currently five INP officers in Darfur acting as an advance team for the contingent. ¶3. (U) Ambassador Hume, who has experience in the region, has offered to brief the INP re Darfur-related issues before the contingent's deployment. The INP has welcomed the offer. ¶4. (SBU) INCIDENT SPARKS REVIEW: In light of the September 29-30 attack and kidnapping of African Union troops, however, the INP forwarded a memorandum to the International Police Section (Interpol) asking for more details on exactly what had taken place and what it meant for security in the region. The INP is also reviewing information passed on by its advance team. Police Chief Sutanto and other GOI agencies plan to review available information and decide whether or not to send the INP troops to Darfur as scheduled. ¶5. (C) WE'RE COMMITTED: Despite the review, Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) contacts say the GOI remains committed to the mission, fully understanding its importance. The Indonesian government wants to act prudently, however, and does not want to send its forces into a situation that is potentially fluid and too much of a security risk. HEFFERN