IRAN -- ENGAGING INDONESIA ON U.S. FINDINGS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 003334

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, ISN, ISN/RA (NEPHEW),IO/T
(VONBEHREN),NEA;
NSC FOR EPHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017
TAGS: PREL MNUC KNNP PARM IR ID
SUBJECT: IRAN -- ENGAGING INDONESIA ON U.S. FINDINGS

REF: A. JAKARTA 3306


B. STATE 162558

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Based on our soundings, the Indonesian
government does not plan to react publicly at this point to
recent U.S. intelligence findings about Iran's nuclear
program. The GOI continues to support diplomatic engagement
on outstanding nuclear issues. A legislator told us that he
welcomed the U.S. findings because they "lowered
temperatures." Pol/C has reiterated to key contacts that
Iran must comply with UNSC resolutions. The Indonesian media
has factually reviewed the U.S. findings, but there has not
been much commentary. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) ENGAGING THE GOI: Following up on his December 4
discussions (ref A),Pol/C reviewed ref B points with key
officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU).
Trini Gunarti, Deputy Director for North American Affairs,
Ramadansyah Hasan, a Section Head in the Directorate for
International Security and Disarmament Affairs, and an
official from the Iran desk participated in the December 6
meeting as did poloff (notetaker). Pol/C emphasized that
Iran's 2003 halting of its nuclear weapons program--a
positive step--was a result of international pressure and
scrutiny. He also noted that Iran's cooperation with the
IAEA remained incomplete, and that Iran continued to enrich
uranium in defiance of UNSCRs 1737 and 1747. Pol/C
underscored the need for continued international pressure on
Iran to comply with UNSC resolutions and to cooperate fully
with the IAEA.


3. (C) INDONESIAN REACTION: DEPLU officials responded that
the GOI was following the matter closely. The Indonesian
government, however, did not plan to issue any official
statement regarding the recent U.S. National Intelligence
Estimate (NIE). Hasan said that the NIE was positive because
it relaxed tensions between Iran and the international
community and "created space" for peaceful dialogue regarding
the nuclear issue. Indonesia continued to engage Iran "as a
friend" and urged it to cooperate fully with the IAEA. GOI
interlocutors said they expected the issue of enrichment to
be addressed as part of the IAEA's ongoing workplan with
Iran.


4. (C) Pol/C underscored that it was vital that Indonesia
continue to urge Iran to take needed steps. Indonesia had an
embassy in Tehran and its officials sometimes traveled there.
Indonesia should use these links to urge Iran to work with
the international community to resolve all concerns re its
nuclear program.


5. (C) LEGISLATOR'S COMMENTS: One legislator told us that
he welcomed the USG's issuance of the NIE's key findings.
Ade Nasution, a member of the national legislature, told
Pol/C December 6 that the findings "were fascinating and
lowered temperatures." While allowing that it was important
for Iran to make progress in its discussions with the
international community, he said he believed that the NIE
findings made "a confrontation between the USG and Iran much
less likely." Nasution, who recently visited Tehran, added
that the USG should take credit for "telling the truth about
the information it had and not covering anything up."


6. (SBU) MEDIA QUIET: The Indonesian media has mostly
provided basic factual coverage of the NIE, although the
matter has not featured prominently in major media outlets.
In a December 6 editorial, leading Indonesian daily "Kompas"
commented that the NIE undermined the USG's case that Iran
sought to build nuclear weapons at this time.

HUME