Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JAKARTA3335
2007-12-06 10:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
NEW ARMED FORCES CHIEF: PROFESSIONAL, REFORMER,
how-toVZCZCXRO5172 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #3335/01 3401052 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 061052Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7297 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1709 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1266 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 2123
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003335
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR PINR ID
SUBJECT: NEW ARMED FORCES CHIEF: PROFESSIONAL, REFORMER,
FRIENDLY TO U.S.
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b-d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003335
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR PINR ID
SUBJECT: NEW ARMED FORCES CHIEF: PROFESSIONAL, REFORMER,
FRIENDLY TO U.S.
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b-d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Amid some political jousting, Indonesia's
legislature confirmed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso
as the new Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces on December
5. Santoso--President Yudhoyono's nominee for the
position--pledged to work to continue to professionalize the
military. He is regarded as an effective leader and as a
reformer with a clean record who favors engagement with the
U.S. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) SBY'S CHOICE: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso
was confirmed by the Indonesian House of Representatives
(DPR) on December 5 as the new chief (Panglima) of the
Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). Santoso's appointment had
been expected for some time and he was the sole nominee put
forward by President Yudhoyono on November 28. He replaces
Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto, who is retiring. Santoso's review
by the DPR's Commission I on Foreign and Security Affairs
offered opportunity for critical comment (see below) but
ended in general approval of the nominee. The swearing in
should happen in the next week or two.
3. (SBU) PROFESSIONAL MILITARY: Santoso, 55, was highly
articulate during his confirmation testimony, He said his
goal was the creation of a modern, politically neutral,
professional force that could protect the country from
threats, increase popular affection for the military and
improve soldiers' welfare. He undertook to complete the
reform of TNI culture and to manage the TNI's budget better.
He commented that professionalism in the Indonesian context
meant not only tactics and control but its identity as a
"people's" and a national army. Santoso made similar remarks
in 2005 upon his appointment as Army Chief of Staff.
4. (SBU) DPR HITS OUT: The confirmation process offered
opportunity for critical comment on outgoing Panglima
Suyanto's performance and the voicing of expectations for
Santoso's term. One legislator enjoined the TNI to remain
out of politics, resolve outstanding procurement disputes
with the DPR and remain subordinate to civilian authority.
Several members also faulted outgoing Panglima Suyanto for
not improving the military's professionalism and soldiers'
welfare and for failing to produce a general defense policy,
a defense doctrine or a white book on the military's status.
Critics noted that the TNI Law of 2002 and the National
Defense Law of 2004 stipulated the issuance of a national
defense policy, which was to serve as the basis for defense
planning, implementation and supervision. Suyanto received
high marks, however, for his quick and objective response to
the shooting of four civilians in Pasuruan, East Java, in May
2007.
5. (SBU) CLEAN RECORD: Santoso has worked closely with
Yudhoyono in the past, including as SBY's deputy in the
Jakarta Military Command and at TNI headquarters. He also
has remained free of allegations of wrongdoing. Santoso has
spent most of his career in the Army's Strategic Reserve
Command (KOSTRAD),becoming Chief of Staff of various
regional military commands and commander of KOSTRAD's Second
Division between 2000 and 2003. He is credited with
restoring peace to the troubled Maluku islands in 2002, and
he received good marks as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army
for leading the GOI's relief effort in Aceh after the 2004
tsunami. He became Chief of Staff of the Army in February
SIPDIS
2005. Santoso was born in Solo, Central Java, on September
8, 1952. Santoso was born in Solo, Central Java, on
September 8, 1952. He is married and has two children.
6. (C) ENGAGEMENT WITH U.S.: Suyanto's personal charm was
invaluable to improving the perception of the TNI to
outsiders. Santoso understands English fairly well, though
he is reluctant to speak it. Typically Javanese, Santoso is
very reserved and does not outwardly reveal his emotions to
outsiders. He is intelligent, has a sense of vision, and
favors engagement with the United States. He seems to be an
effective leader with the personal relationships and the
political savvy needed to carry out his plans to modernize
and professionalize the TNI.
JAKARTA 00003335 002 OF 002
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR PINR ID
SUBJECT: NEW ARMED FORCES CHIEF: PROFESSIONAL, REFORMER,
FRIENDLY TO U.S.
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4(b-d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Amid some political jousting, Indonesia's
legislature confirmed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso
as the new Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces on December
5. Santoso--President Yudhoyono's nominee for the
position--pledged to work to continue to professionalize the
military. He is regarded as an effective leader and as a
reformer with a clean record who favors engagement with the
U.S. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) SBY'S CHOICE: Army Chief of Staff Gen. Djoko Santoso
was confirmed by the Indonesian House of Representatives
(DPR) on December 5 as the new chief (Panglima) of the
Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). Santoso's appointment had
been expected for some time and he was the sole nominee put
forward by President Yudhoyono on November 28. He replaces
Air Marshal Djoko Suyanto, who is retiring. Santoso's review
by the DPR's Commission I on Foreign and Security Affairs
offered opportunity for critical comment (see below) but
ended in general approval of the nominee. The swearing in
should happen in the next week or two.
3. (SBU) PROFESSIONAL MILITARY: Santoso, 55, was highly
articulate during his confirmation testimony, He said his
goal was the creation of a modern, politically neutral,
professional force that could protect the country from
threats, increase popular affection for the military and
improve soldiers' welfare. He undertook to complete the
reform of TNI culture and to manage the TNI's budget better.
He commented that professionalism in the Indonesian context
meant not only tactics and control but its identity as a
"people's" and a national army. Santoso made similar remarks
in 2005 upon his appointment as Army Chief of Staff.
4. (SBU) DPR HITS OUT: The confirmation process offered
opportunity for critical comment on outgoing Panglima
Suyanto's performance and the voicing of expectations for
Santoso's term. One legislator enjoined the TNI to remain
out of politics, resolve outstanding procurement disputes
with the DPR and remain subordinate to civilian authority.
Several members also faulted outgoing Panglima Suyanto for
not improving the military's professionalism and soldiers'
welfare and for failing to produce a general defense policy,
a defense doctrine or a white book on the military's status.
Critics noted that the TNI Law of 2002 and the National
Defense Law of 2004 stipulated the issuance of a national
defense policy, which was to serve as the basis for defense
planning, implementation and supervision. Suyanto received
high marks, however, for his quick and objective response to
the shooting of four civilians in Pasuruan, East Java, in May
2007.
5. (SBU) CLEAN RECORD: Santoso has worked closely with
Yudhoyono in the past, including as SBY's deputy in the
Jakarta Military Command and at TNI headquarters. He also
has remained free of allegations of wrongdoing. Santoso has
spent most of his career in the Army's Strategic Reserve
Command (KOSTRAD),becoming Chief of Staff of various
regional military commands and commander of KOSTRAD's Second
Division between 2000 and 2003. He is credited with
restoring peace to the troubled Maluku islands in 2002, and
he received good marks as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army
for leading the GOI's relief effort in Aceh after the 2004
tsunami. He became Chief of Staff of the Army in February
SIPDIS
2005. Santoso was born in Solo, Central Java, on September
8, 1952. Santoso was born in Solo, Central Java, on
September 8, 1952. He is married and has two children.
6. (C) ENGAGEMENT WITH U.S.: Suyanto's personal charm was
invaluable to improving the perception of the TNI to
outsiders. Santoso understands English fairly well, though
he is reluctant to speak it. Typically Javanese, Santoso is
very reserved and does not outwardly reveal his emotions to
outsiders. He is intelligent, has a sense of vision, and
favors engagement with the United States. He seems to be an
effective leader with the personal relationships and the
political savvy needed to carry out his plans to modernize
and professionalize the TNI.
JAKARTA 00003335 002 OF 002
HUME