PRESSING INDONESIA ON ZIMBABWE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001214 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, AF, AF/S, IO/UNP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2018 TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM UNSC ID ZI SUBJECT: PRESSING INDONESIA ON ZIMBABWE REF: STATE 66915 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission reviewed points with the GOI underscoring USG and international community concern about the situation in Zimbabwe. Pol/C emphasized to contacts the need for a robust Presidential Statement (PRST),noting that the regime's actions have serious implications for the wider region. GOI contacts agreed that the situation was serious, noting that they would review the draft PRST. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) REVIEWING POINTS: On June 23, Pol/C reviewed reftel points related to Zimbabwe with Indonesian government contacts. Pol/C noted that opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai had issued a public statement saying he could not participate in the runoff election due to the regime-sponsored violence that was taking place. The regime's actions were profoundly destabilizing and clearly indicated its determination not to allow a free and fair vote. ¶3. (C) Continuing, Pol/C noted that the situation had wider implications that the UN Security Council had to take account of. The British draft PRST deserved strong support by UNSC members and we urged that Indonesia move quickly to lend its support. The GOI should also consider making its own public statement. ¶4. (C) GOI TO REVIEW DRAFT: Aris Munandar, Acting Director of the Office of International Security and Disarmament at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU),told Pol/C that the GOI understood that the situation in Zimbabwe was serious. He said the GOI would carefully review the British draft. ¶5. (C) Mission also reviewed reftel points with officials in the President's Office of International Relations and DEPLU's America's Desk. ¶6. (C) LITTLE COVERAGE: Coverage of the situation in Zimbabwe has been minimal to almost nil in local media. This is understandable -- GOI foreign policy is not focused on Africa to any extent. This perhaps argues for the GOI going along with the consensus in the UNSC. That said, Indonesia maintains ties with South Africa on international issues based on Non-Aligned Movement and other links, so it is possible the GOI will look in that direction for signals on this matter. HUME