DEMARCHE TO INDONESIA ON UNSC BURMA RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000032 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC BM ID SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO INDONESIA ON UNSC BURMA RESOLUTION REF: STATE 01063 Classified By: Marc L. Desjardins, Political Counselor. Reason: 1.5 (b , d) ¶1. (C) Summary. International Security Affairs Director Desra Percaya told us on January 5 that the GOI would neither vote against nor would likely co-sponsor our draft resolution on Burma. The Foreign Minister must decide whether they will abstain, vote in favor or choose to seek a Presidential statement. The GOI, he said, agrees with the substance of the resolution, but questions whether Burma poses a threat to international peace and security. While saying no decision has been made, Percaya hinted that the Indonesians would prefer that the Security Council address the matter by means of a Presidential Statement. However, they do not want to be seen as the SPDC's protectors on the Security Council, and Percaya acknowledged that a strong signal to Burma would be appropriate. The Russians and Chinese have told the Indonesians that they will oppose the measure. The French have indicated they would accept a Presidential statement. Percaya made clear that he will be reporting directly to FM Wirajuda on Security Council issues. End Summary. ¶2. (C) PolCouns met January 5 with Desra Percaya, Director for International Security Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs, and his deputy Mohamad Hery Saripudin, to discuss our draft Burma resolution (reftel). Percaya indicated he was familiar with the draft and was preparing to discuss it later in the day with Foreign Minister Wirajuda. Percaya said that Indonesia agreed with the substance of the resolution. The GOI, he said, was frustrated with the SPDC and it was clear that ASEAN's approach was also ineffective. Its policy of "constructive engagement" has not produced results, he noted. Indonesia was also annoyed that the Burmese side had repeatedly delayed the first meeting of their agreed Bilateral Commission, which the GOI had hoped to use as a forum to interest Burma in reform. The Commission is now set to meet in February, Percaya said. ¶3. (C) Percaya cautioned that despite the GOI's agreement with the substance of the resolution, it poses problems "in principle" that would have to be resolved. Indonesia still questions whether the SPDC's actions pose a threat to international peace and security. Acknowledging that the issue is a formal agenda item, he indicated that Indonesia's preferred approach might be a Presidential statement. Polcouns countered that refugee outflows, narcotrafficking, and ethnic conflicts have become a destabilizing force. The international community, he said, had been patient with the SPDC for many years, and the resolution was designed to support UN efforts to improve the situation. The UNSC resolution is designed to send the SPDC a strong signal, after many other channels have been rebuffed. Percaya agreed that a strong signal was needed, and said that he had heard that the Burmese junta was alarmed by the prospect of a Security Council resolution. He cautioned that we should not take action that would cause the SPDC to isolate Burma any further. ¶4. (C) Our interlocutors said that Russian and Chinese officials have told the GOI they oppose the measure, but have not said whether they would use a veto. The Chinese did not provide the Indonesians with a reply on the possibility of a Presidential statement. The French reportedly indicated informally on January 4 that they would accept a Presidential statement. ¶5. (C) In closing, Percaya assured us that the GOI would not vote against the resolution, but that Minister Wirajuda would decide whether Indonesia would abstain or support it. Percaya indicated that Indonesia would not be willing to co-sponsor. He said, however, that the GOI wanted to find a way to be supportive, since it did not want to appear to act as the SPDC's de facto ally on the Security Council. We reminded him of the importance of Indonesia's position on this issue and that as an ASEAN leader that has been rebuffed so many times by Burma, Jakarta should not hand Rangoon a "victory". ¶6. (C) Bio Notes: Percaya was to be sworn in to his new position that same day. As the outgoing Chief of Staff to the Minister and Spokesman, he said he was chosen for his new position because he will be reporting directly to the Foreign Minister. In effect, he told us that Director General for Multilateral Affairs Mochamad Slamet Hidayat will be to some JAKARTA 00000032 002 OF 002 extent cut out of Security Council issues. Saripudin is following Percaya from the chief of staff's office as his new deputy. HEFFERN