ASIA PACIFIC DEMOCRACY PARTNERSHIP

UNCLAS STATE 131552 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM MG SUBJECT: ASIA PACIFIC DEMOCRACY PARTNERSHIP ¶1. This is an action request. (Info only for BEIJING.) See Para 3 for suggested talking points. For Jakarta, please also note specific requests in Para 4. ¶2. Background, for Embassy Info Only: The President called for the formation of the Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership in his speech at APEC in Sydney on September 7. This followed on several months of development and consultation, including the April 10 approval by Deputies of plans to develop a partnership among Asian democracies. Subsequent consultations with prospective members led us to broaden the concept to an Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP). We now hope to complete consultations with prospective members, and secure commitments to participate in APDP. We are hoping to have an initial organizing meeting of the APDP on the margins of the Community of Democracies meeting in Bamako, Mali, in November. ¶3. Action Request: Post is requested to approach the host government at an appropriately senior level to secure their commitment on participation in the APDP. A formal response is requested by October 12 to ensure adequate time to prepare for a November organizing meeting in Bamako. Post may draw on the following talking points: - In his speech in Sydney on September 7, President Bush said, of efforts by Asia Pacific countries to support democracy: "These are important steps-and now we must build on them by forging new regional institutions to encourage the continued expansion of freedom in this vital part of the world. And so this week, the United States is proposing the creation of a new Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP). Through this partnership, free nations will work together to support democratic values, strengthen democratic institutions, and assist those who are working to build and sustain free societies across the Asia Pacific Region." - This initiative reflects the ideas and input we have received during our consultations with the Australian, Canadian, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, New Zealand, Phlippine and South Korean governments over the past six months. We are now hoping to get your commitment to participate. - In addition to the initial group we consulted with, we are now asking Mongolia to participate as a founding member of APDP. Further participation would be open to any Asian democracies committed to strengthening democratic values and institutions in the region. - We hope to hold an initial organizing meeting of the APDP in Bamako, on the sidelines of the Community of Democracies ministerial. As you will be invited to attend the CD ministerial, we see this as the ideal venue for the first organizational meeting of the APDP. -In response to the requests of several governments, we will be briefing the Chinese government on the APDP proposal in order to address their questions and assist them in understanding our intentions in proposing this initiative. -Please let us know of your government's decision on participation in the APDP, including participation in a meeting during the CD ministerial. We request a formal response by October 12 to ensure adequate time to prepare for the organizing meeting in Bamako. -If you elect to participate, we would request that you provide us with a primary point of contact within your government for APDP. 4.EMBASSY JAKARTA Action: Please contact the office of President Yudhoyono, in addition to the appropriate contacts and the Foreign Ministry. The following point is specific to Indonesia: - We are strongly supportive of suggestions that the first leaders' meeting of the APDP should be held in Indonesia, in early 2008. Should you agree to host it, we would work with the Australian government and others to secure financial and logistical support for this meeting. ¶5. EMBASSY BEIJING info: No action required at this time. State and NSC will soon develop a near-term plan for briefing China on APDP. If raised, embassy may explain focus of APDP activities outlined in para 6 and assure Chinese officials that this Partnership is not aimed at China or any other nation. 6.Action embassies may leave the following background information with host governments: The Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP) is a proposed new initiative to develop a coalition of democracies to support democratic institutions in Asia and the Pacific, including free and fair electoral processes, independent media, rule of law, human rights, and civil society. It would highlight democracy's progress in Asia, as well as the shared values between the United States and many Asian nations. It would build on, and be supportive of, the Community of Democracies. The APDP could be initiated by an initial group comprised of Australia, Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea and the United States. Further participation would be open to any Asian democratic states committed to strengthening democratic values and institutions in the region. An APDP would provide a multilateral mechanism for strengthening and promoting democracy, rule of law, and civil society in Asia. The APDP would be action-oriented. The APDP's activities could be initially in three areas: 1) Coordinating existing bilateral democracy funding and programs, 2) Sharing "Best Practices" expertise, developing election standards, and diplomatic activities, and 3) Public/Private Partnerships (e.g. supporting the work of democracy-promotion nongovernmental organizations). Though the APDP's structure will be determined by participant governments, one possible model for the APDP would be: -Each member nation designates a lead official (at a level still to be determined) to meet once per year at an APDP Leaders Conference; -Each member nation also designates lead agency/office to coordinate activities on ongoing basis. We request a formal response by October 12 to ensure adequate time to prepare for a November organizing meeting in Bamako on the margins of the Community of Democracies. ¶7. Post should direct replies and feedback to desk, with a copy to John Kachtik (G). RICE