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

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extent cut out of Security Council issues. Saripudin is
following Percaya from the chief of staff's office as his new
deputy.
HEFFERN