Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JAKARTA3363
2007-12-11 08:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
INDONESIA -- SENATOR KERRY DISCUSSES BURMA WITH
how-toVZCZCXRO8500 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #3363 3450818 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 110818Z DEC 07 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7346 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 4574 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1741 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1297 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 2141 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1483 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0764
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 003363
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, H
NSC FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ID BM CH IN
SUBJECT: INDONESIA -- SENATOR KERRY DISCUSSES BURMA WITH
PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO
Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4(b-d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 003363
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, H
NSC FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ID BM CH IN
SUBJECT: INDONESIA -- SENATOR KERRY DISCUSSES BURMA WITH
PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO
Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4(b-d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Senator Kerry expressed concern about the
Burmese situation in a meeting with President Yudhoyono on
December 10. Yudhoyono noted that he was also concerned and
had urged the regime to take needed steps, but ASEAN had
limited influence and needed U.S. help to push China and
India to take positive approaches. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On December 10, Senator Kerry--while in Bali for the
UN's Climate Change conference--raised the subject of Burma
with President Yudhoyono. Ambassador Hume was also in the
meeting. Kerry said he shared the concern of many Americans
regarding the situation in Burma. The use of violence
against demonstrators, the lack of political dialogue, and
the worsening economic and social conditions were all
symptoms of a deepening crisis. Despite efforts by the U.S.
and other countries, so far international action had been
ineffective. He asked President Yudhoyono how he viewed the
crisis in Burma.
3. (C) Yudhoyono said he was worried about Burma. Indonesia
had historical connections with Burma, but the level of
bilateral trade and the overall relationship was
insignificant at this point. Others, especially India and
China, had the crucial connections to Burma. He had written
several times to strongman Than Shwe, urging that he plan a
transition to a democratic government. The responses he had
received did not show any progress in the approach of the
Burmese authorities. Nevertheless, Yudhoyono said Indonesia
would continue to work on this issue--along with its ASEAN
partners--among whom there was general agreement that Burma
needed to prepare a transition to a democratic, moderate
government.
4. (C) In his comments to Senator Kerry, Yudhoyono also
cautioned that ASEAN had limited influence. As it pushed
Burma, India and particularly China protected the regime,
weakening Burma,s ties to ASEAN and the outside world. He
appreciated the stance of the United States in pushing for
change in Burma, but he said ASEAN would need help in
convincing both China and India to cooperate. It was not in
anyone,s interest just to push the Burmese generals deeper
into the protective embrace of Beijing. He asked that the
USG help generate positive change in the approaches of India
and China.
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, H
NSC FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV ID BM CH IN
SUBJECT: INDONESIA -- SENATOR KERRY DISCUSSES BURMA WITH
PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO
Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4(b-d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Senator Kerry expressed concern about the
Burmese situation in a meeting with President Yudhoyono on
December 10. Yudhoyono noted that he was also concerned and
had urged the regime to take needed steps, but ASEAN had
limited influence and needed U.S. help to push China and
India to take positive approaches. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) On December 10, Senator Kerry--while in Bali for the
UN's Climate Change conference--raised the subject of Burma
with President Yudhoyono. Ambassador Hume was also in the
meeting. Kerry said he shared the concern of many Americans
regarding the situation in Burma. The use of violence
against demonstrators, the lack of political dialogue, and
the worsening economic and social conditions were all
symptoms of a deepening crisis. Despite efforts by the U.S.
and other countries, so far international action had been
ineffective. He asked President Yudhoyono how he viewed the
crisis in Burma.
3. (C) Yudhoyono said he was worried about Burma. Indonesia
had historical connections with Burma, but the level of
bilateral trade and the overall relationship was
insignificant at this point. Others, especially India and
China, had the crucial connections to Burma. He had written
several times to strongman Than Shwe, urging that he plan a
transition to a democratic government. The responses he had
received did not show any progress in the approach of the
Burmese authorities. Nevertheless, Yudhoyono said Indonesia
would continue to work on this issue--along with its ASEAN
partners--among whom there was general agreement that Burma
needed to prepare a transition to a democratic, moderate
government.
4. (C) In his comments to Senator Kerry, Yudhoyono also
cautioned that ASEAN had limited influence. As it pushed
Burma, India and particularly China protected the regime,
weakening Burma,s ties to ASEAN and the outside world. He
appreciated the stance of the United States in pushing for
change in Burma, but he said ASEAN would need help in
convincing both China and India to cooperate. It was not in
anyone,s interest just to push the Burmese generals deeper
into the protective embrace of Beijing. He asked that the
USG help generate positive change in the approaches of India
and China.
HUME