SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORTING OFFICERS CONFERENCE,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001102 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON PGOV OTRA XB ID SUBJECT: SOUTHEAST ASIA REPORTING OFFICERS CONFERENCE, JAKARTA, OCTOBER 8-9, 2008 JAKARTA 00001102 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Embassy Jakarta will host the 2008 Southeast Asia Reporting Officers Conference (SEAROC) from October 8-9. This message reviews conference themes and solicits participation from addressees. Subsequent messages will provide further details re the conference schedule and administrative arrangements. END SUMMARY. THE PROGRAM ¶2. (U) The conference will include a series of panel presentations followed by Q&A sessions. The agenda is under development and we would appreciate hearing any suggestions on how to craft the program. We would also appreciate volunteers to give presentations. At this point, we expect conference sessions to focus on such issues as: --U.S. policy priorities in Southeast Asia; --The rise of China and India, and what that means for SE Asia; --The problem of Burma; --Macroeconomic policy; --Trade and investment; --Energy policy; --Environmental issues; --ASEAN integration and regional architecture; --Natural disasters, pandemic disease and nontraditional security threats; --Counterterrorism; --Domestic politics; --Political-military affairs; --Human rights, trafficking in persons and religious freedom; --The importance of public outreach; and, --Developing effective programs. THE PARTICIPANTS ¶3. (U) We welcome participation by economic and political officers and others from throughout the Southeast Asia region and elsewhere, including China, Japan, South Asia and Australia, etc. We also hope to attract participants from Washington and PACOM. THE DETAILS ¶4. (U) Please send a formal country clearance request confirming attendance which includes security clearance information and flight details for each participant. Please send comments, questions and suggestions about the program to the control officer by email. ¶5. (U) Overall coordinator for the event is Pol/C Joe Novak (Email: novakjl@state.gov, Phone: 62-21-3435-9279, Fax: 62-21-3435-9916). Control officer is poloff Matthew A. Cenzer (Email: cenzerma@state.gov, Phone: 62-21-3435-9705). Econoff Scott Kofmehl will assist with the economic aspects of the conference program. ¶6. (U) Room bookings will be at a hotel close to the Embassy within per diem. Please note that FY-2007 funds can be obligated for travel to SEAROC so long as tickets are issued prior to close of business on September 30. JAKARTA 00001102 002.2 OF 002 ¶7. (U) We look forward to seeing you in Jakarta! HEFFERN