MAINSTREAM MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS PRESS FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002967

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, NEA, NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL ID XF
SUBJECT: MAINSTREAM MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS PRESS FOR
INFLUENCE ON MIDDLE EAST POLICY


Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Indonesia's two largest mass Muslim
organizations--Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah--have
recently publicly criticized U.S. policy in the Middle East.
In addition to the ritualistic criticism of the USG, the
statements--made in advance of Palestinian leader Abbas,
visit to Jakarta this week (see septel)--reflect efforts by
these influential organizations to play a larger role in
shaping Indonesia's response to global Muslim issues. In
private, NU and Muhammadiyah leaders have ratcheted down the
rhetoric and expressed tentative support for a proposed
U.S.-hosted peace conference later this year. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) SHARP CRITICISM OF USG: In press statements last
week, Indonesia's two largest mass Muslim organizations, NU
and Muhammadiyah, expressed doubts about U.S. Middle East
policy and the USG's "credibility" as an honest broker re the
Palestinian issue. NU central executive board chief Said
Aqil Siradi publicly asserted that "when every country
condemns Israel's violations and attacks, the US is the only
country that defends Israel or abstains." A member of
Muhammadiyah,s Central Executive Board, described U.S.
support for peace in the Middle East as "sheer camouflage"
and criticized the U.S. for creating a "democracy double
standard" by refusing to recognize Hamas's "victory" in
general elections.


3. (C) In private discussions, however, both NU and
Muhammadiyah officials have expressed support for U.S.
efforts. Raja Juli Antoni, Executive Director of the Ma'arif
Institute and a member of Muhammadiyah,s International
Relations Committee, told us that Muhammadiyah strongly
supports the idea of a U.S.-hosted peace conference later
this year and believes that Indonesia ought to attend.
(Note: During his recent visit, Abbas repeatedly asserted
that Indonesia would be invited to any conference that takes
place -- see septel.) He stated that Indonesia can play a
role by bridging the Hamas/Fatah divide and strengthening
moderates on both sides. Rozy Munir, a top NU leader and the
next Indonesian ambassador to Qatar, recently told Pol/C that
the U.S. "has the influence to make all sides work together"
and it is positive that it is "using those levers now."


4. (C) THE SEARCH FOR RELEVANCY: In addition to the latest
public comments, the two organizations have in recent months
sought to expand their role on international Muslim-related
issues. For example in September, NU took steps to try to
help secure the release of Korean hostages in Afghanistan.
NU and Muhammadiyah leaders, efforts to bridge the
Sunni-Shi,a sectarian divide, especially in Iraq, failed to
generate much enthusiasm following an international
conference hosted in Bogor in April 2007, however. In
October 23 discussions with poloffs, The Asia Foundation's
Director for Islam and Development, John Brownlee, described
the anti-U.S. rhetoric and the interest in serving as a
"neutral" arbiter of international Muslim issues as a tactic
in NU and Muhammadiyah,s search for relevancy in public
life. He claimed that both organizations have links and
influence at all levels of government, but institutionally
they appear rudderless. As a result, efforts to influence
foreign policy are driven primarily by "personality politics"
of their respective chairmen, Hasyim Muzadi and Din
Syamsuddin.


5. (C) Contacts within Muhammadiyah, however, expressed
skepticism that either NU or Muhammadiyah are positioned to
contribute in any concrete way--negative or positive--to the
Middle East Peace Process. In the past, Muhammadiyah,s
leaders such as Lukman Harun maintained a close relationship
with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, whereas Syamsuddin has yet
to demonstrate he has the same strength of ties to the
region. Ironically, while Syamsuddin looks for every
opportunity he can to boost his personal political stature,
his followers are urged to keep out of politics. As a result
Muhammadiyah,s core focus is increasingly inward, despite a
decision taken by its central board in 2005 to devote more
resources to international relations. Within the
organization, there is no priority placed on any specific
Middle Eastern issue. Its international relations board
lacks area specialists and shifts attention from one topic to

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another on an ad hoc basis.


6. (C) GOI KEEPS CLOSE LINKS: The government for its part is
eager to at least bring religious leaders into consultations
on foreign policy. Foreign Minister Wirajuda on October 23
facilitated a meeting between 28 religious leaders--including
NU and Muhammadiyah--and Abbas. Moreover, many members of
the Indonesian government are members of either of the two
organizations or have family friends who are. Given those
type of ties, the organizations--NU with over 35 million
members--and--Muhammadiyah with around 30 million--are bound
to remain influential, including in the realm of Indonesia's
foreign policy.
HUME