MGPK02 -- INDONESIAN REACTION TO BHUTTO

UNCLAS JAKARTA 003480 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, SCA, SCA/PB, S/CT NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ID PK SUBJECT: MGPK02 -- INDONESIAN REACTION TO BHUTTO ASSASSINATION REF: STATE 170405 ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Indonesian President Yudhoyono has expressed shock at the news of Benazir Bhutto's assassination, strongly condemning the attack. Other members of the GOI--as well as legislators--have also condemned the killing. The Indonesian media was full of news re the event, which has cast a real pall among Indonesians involved in international relations. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (U) SBY SHOCKED: In a press conference held late December 27, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. A somber Yudhoyono went on to state that he hoped that the situation in Pakistan "calms down" soon and that the process of democratic transition continued. He also stated: "The Indonesian government offers condolences to the family and the nation of Pakistan. We hope that security and order can be restored, laws enforced, and democracy respected." ¶4. (U) Also speaking for the Palace, Presidential spokesman Dino Djalal noted that the governments of Indonesia and Pakistan maintained good relations, and that he fully expected that relationship to continue. He went on to say that the GOI appreciated Pakistan's efforts to include opposition candidates in its general elections, adding that he hoped that the transition to democracy continued despite the killing of Bhutto. He added: "We hope security in Pakistan is under control and other major tragedies can be avoided." ¶5. (SBU) OTHER REACTION: Indonesia's Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) has not yet made an official statement on Bhutto's murder, but individual members of parliament (DPR) have condemned the attack. Theo Sambuaga, Chair of the DPR committee on foreign and defense affairs, told Pol/C that he had met Bhutto on several occasions. He noted that the assassination was a blow to democracy in Pakistan and to democracy in the Muslim world. He went on to state that President Musharraf should open an investigation into what happened immediately. DPR member Alvin Lee of the PAN party (National Mandate Party) condemned the assassination in the "strongest possible terms." ¶6. (U) MEDIA REACTION: Indonesian television has been full of news about the assassination. Newspapers gave the killing banner headlines, with stories basically focused on the facts of the assassination. There was little commentary, so far, given that the event has just taken place. ¶7. (SBU) CASTING A PALL: Though both are large Muslim-dominated countries, Indonesia's links with Pakistan are not particularly strong. That said, Bhutto--as a world and Islamic leader--was well known here (she visited Indonesia as Prime Minister in 1996). Her death has cast a real pall among Indonesians involved in international relations. HUME