ENGAGING THE HILL ON INDONESIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003435 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EAP A/S HILL AND H A/S BERGNER FROM AMBASSADOR HUME; ALSO PASS TO EAP DAS MARCIEL AND EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV OVIP ID SUBJECT: ENGAGING THE HILL ON INDONESIA REF: A. JAKARTA 3395 ¶B. JAKARTA 3341 ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) Assistant Secretaries: As you are well aware, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks recently concluded in Bali, Indonesia on December 15 with the "Bali Roadmap." While the USG spent considerable time and energy supporting the overall negotiations, Mission also sought to leverage the presence of so many Congressional visitors in Bali to call attention to the extraordinary importance and depth of our bilateral relationship with Indonesia. Our visitors were very receptive to this message and I believe there is substantial room for follow-on dialogue about Indonesia in Washington. A full list of the Congressional participants that attended the UNFCCC talks in Bali is included in paragraph 8. ¶3. (SBU) As reported in Refs A and B, Senator Kerry and Representative Faleomavaega demonstrated considerable enthusiasm for our message about the importance of Indonesia. Senator Kerry and Representative Faleomavaega would both likely welcome periodic updates on the relationship, as well as suggestions on how they could help deepen bilateral engagement. ¶4. (SBU) In addition, a total of roughly 40 staffers from the Senate and House traveled to Bali to attend the UNFCCC talks. Mission briefed the staffers on Indonesia's status as an "environmental super-power" in terms of its bio-diversity and the extent of its natural resources, while underscoring the alarming rate of degradation taking place. I also had occasion to brief our Congressional visitors on USG efforts to define a "strategic center" to U.S.-Indonesian relations. This "strategic center" would encompass three areas: 1. Reform--How does the U.S. support the massive reform efforts underway in Indonesia? 2. Security--How do we develop a stronger relationship with both the police and the military? ¶3. Connections--How do we encourage Indonesia to open up to the outside world? ¶5. (SBU) During the course of the two week UNFCCC talks, it became readily apparent that there is a considerable appetite for greater dialogue about Indonesia in the U.S. Congress. I will cite just a few of the numerous examples. Margaret Cummisky from Senator Inouye's staff told Mission that Senator Inouye believes Indonesia "deserves more attention than it gets." Ms. Cummisky demonstrated great interest in Indonesia herself and would like to identify ways to help advance the relationship. Jim Greene from Senator Biden's staff characterized the environmental briefing he received on Indonesia as "the highlight of his trip," and underscored the fact that Senator Biden tracks Indonesian affairs very closely. Greene went out of his way to meet with Acehenese Governor Irwandi in Bali and noted that Senator Biden follows the Aceh reconstruction issue in detail. Greene also mentioned that Senator Biden would like to find ways to help the decentralization efforts in Aceh and Papua move forward. Richard Frandsen from the Energy and Commerce Committee also expressed great appreciation for a Mission briefing he received on avian influenza. ¶6. (SBU) Throughout the Bali conference, I was continually struck by the palpable enthusiasm and interest in Indonesian affairs shown by our Congressional visitors. The United States has a remarkable opportunity to help this country of over 240 million people secure a bright future, while building the foundation for a long-term partnership in a strategic corner of the world. We believe the Congressional visitors that attended the UNFCCC talks share this vision for our relationship with Indonesia and will be receptive to further engagement with the Department as we look for ways to move forward USG legislative priorities for Indonesia. ¶7. (U) Mission would be pleased to provide additional information and looks forward to assisting in ongoing contacts with key interlocutors. Regards, Cameron. ¶8. (U) A listing of Congressional participants at the UNFCCC talks in Bali: Senators: Committee/Office Kerry, John (D-MA) Foreign Relations Representatives Faleomavaega, Eni (D-AS) Foreign Affairs JAKARTA 00003435 002 OF 002 Senate Staff: Barron, Alexander Office of Sen. Lieberman (AAAS Congressional Fellow) Black, Jonathan Energy and Natural Resources (Professional Staff Member) Cummisky, Margaret Commerce, Science and Transportation (Staff Director) Darcy, Jo-Ellen Finance (Senior Environmental Advisor) Deschamps, Floyd Commerce, Science and Transportation (Senior Advisor) Frangione, Kathleen Office of Sen. Kerry (Legislative Assistant) Greene, Jim Office of Sen. Biden (Senior Policy Advisor) Johnston, Todd Office of Sen. Voinovich (Legislative Assistant) Lawler, Tom Office of Sen. Carper (Legislative Assistant) Maher, Jessica Office of Sen. Sanders (Senior Advisor) Matwyshen, Suzanne Office of Sen. Vitter (Legislative Assistant) Maxwell, Chelsea Office of Sen. Warner (Senior Advisor) McIntosh, David Office of Sen. Lieberman (Counsel) Morano, Marc Environment and Public Works (Communications Director) Parker, Darren Office of Sen. Craig (Research Assistant) Rafle, Peter Environment and Public Works (Communications Director) Shanahan, John Environment and Public Works (Counsel) Stoody, John Office of Sen. Bond (Legislative Assistant/Counsel) Thu, Eric Environment and Public Works (Research Assistant) Wade, David Office of Senator Kerry (Deputy Chief of Staff) Whiting, Daniel Office of Sen. Craig (Communications Director) Worrest, Virginia Office of Sen. Snowe (Senior Advisor) Zulkosky, Ann Commerce, Science and Transportation (Professional Staff Member) House Staff: Baran, Jeff Oversight and Government Reform (Counsel) Beauvais, Joel Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Bennett, Aimee Brooke Oversight and Government Reform (Counsel) Bilas, Kurt Energy and Commerce (Counsel) Cohen, Ana Unruh Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming Forsyth, Bart Office of Rep. Sensenbrenner (Science Counsel) Frandsen, Richard Energy and Commerce (Senior Counsel) Hummel, L. Holmes Office of Rep. Inslee (Legislative Fellow) Husar, Kristina Moore Oversight and Government Reform (Professional Staff Member) Jones, Eric Oversight and Government Reform (Counsel) Killion, David Foreign Affairs (Professional Staff Member) King, Christopher Science and Technology (Professional Staff Member) Lei, Vili Foreign Affairs (Staff Associate) McCarthy, David Energy and Commerce (Counsel) Rothschild, Tara Science and Technology (Professional Staff Member) Weimer, Tom Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (Chief of Staff) Williams, Lisa Foreign Affairs (Staff Director) End. HUME