ADMIRAL MULLEN'S MEETINGS WITH THE GOI: BILATERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 001107 SIPDIS DEPT FOR P, T, EAP, PM, ISN, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, EAP/ANZ SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/AP P.IPSEN JOINT STAFF FOR P.CLEMMONS NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2018 TAGS: PREL MARR MASS ID BM SUBJECT: ADMIRAL MULLEN'S MEETINGS WITH THE GOI: BILATERAL DEFENSE COOPERATION, BURMA REF: JAKARTA 1030 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires John A. Heffern, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In meetings with GOI leaders during his visit to Jakarta, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen emphasized the U.S. commitment to bilateral military cooperation with Indonesia and pledged to continue building the GOI's defense capabilities at Indonesia's pace. His GOI counterparts expressed gratitude for U.S. exchange and exercise opportunities and other forms of assistance, and urged that such cooperation include Army Special Forces (KOPASSUS). They emphasized the Indonesian military's commitment to reform, professionalism and civilian control. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY (Con'd): The Indonesians also expressed hope that the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-2) in Jakarta be able to continue operations on the basis of a new MOU. The GOI expressed dismay and frustration with the Burmese regime's response to international relief efforts. END SUMMARY. VISIT TO JAKARTA ¶3. (C) On May 29, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen met Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Widodo A.S, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono and Armed Forces Chief (Panglima) Djoko Santoso in Jakarta to reaffirm bilateral military-to-military ties and support continued cooperation and assistance in coming years. In his discussions, the Chairman congratulated Indonesia on its progress over the past decade in instituting democratic government and reforming its military, and encouraged Indonesia to continue moving forward along this path. He pledged that the United States would do all it could to rebuild trust, to make the bilateral relationship stronger and to improve the quality and capabilities of the Indonesian armed forces, especially its younger officers. That would include education and training, exchanges and joint exercises. There would always be challenges, but together we would work through these challenges. The United States would remain committed to cooperation with Indonesia no matter the political changes in Washington. BILATERAL MILITARY COOPERATION ¶4. (C) As Coordinating Minister for Politics Law and Security, Widodo stands directly below President Yudhoyono in terms of responsibility for Indonesia's military affairs. Conveying Yudhoyono's best regards and essentially speaking for the president, Widodo welcomed the Chairman's visit, following on similar visits by USPACOM Commander Admiral Keating, Defense Secretary Gates and CJCS Pace, as clearly reflecting a U.S. commitment to closer military ties with Indonesia. Indonesia appreciated those efforts. There had been good progress in mil-mil cooperation since the lifting of U.S. sanctions in 2005, and Indonesia hoped to maintain this momentum and expand cooperation further in the near future. Indonesia was grateful for U.S. assistance in relief of disasters in Aceh, Nias and Yogjakarta. Indonesia had learned a great deal during those relief operations, and thi