ZIMBABWE -- REVIEWING DRAFT RESOLUTION WITH GOI

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001303 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, AF/S, IO/UNP (RGOLDBERG) USUN FOR J. DELAURENTIS AND K. MCBRIDE E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2018 TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM UNSC ZI ID SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE -- REVIEWING DRAFT RESOLUTION WITH GOI REF: A. USUN NEW YORK 593 ¶B. JAKARTA 1293 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On July 7, Pol/C touched base again with the Indonesian Foreign Ministry re Zimbabwe and the need for a robust UNSC resolution. Contact noted that the GOI "condemned the Zimbabwean government's actions," but was not "very comfortable" with the draft resolution, which it considered "overly harsh." Pol/C also reviewed USG points with key members of the Indonesian legislature, who underlined that they had deep concerns about the situation and would try to convince the GOI on the need for action. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) On July 7, Pol/C touched base again with the Foreign Ministry (DEPLU) re Zimbabwe and the need for a robust UNSC resolution. The international community needs to react firmly to the shocking events in Zimbabwe and take steps, Pol/C stressed. The draft resolution makes the key points about the need for an end to all violence and for the regime to begin a genuine political dialogue. The U.S. looks forward to further discussions with the Indonesian delegation in New York on the draft that USUN submitted on July 3. ¶3. (C) Riando Sembiring of the Office of International Security and Disarmament in DEPLU replied that the GOI "condemned the Zimbabwean government's actions" in terms of the recent election and the treatment accorded the opposition. The GOI, however, was not "very comfortable" with the draft resolution, which it considered "overly harsh" due to its sanctions-related language. In addition, Indonesia was worried that the draft resolution could be counterproductive and possibly undermine regional efforts at reconciliation. In any case, Sembiring said the Indonesian government continued to review the matter closely and looked forward to further consultations in New York on the issue. ¶4. (C) Pol/C also reviewed USG points with two key members of the Indonesian legislature (DPR),Theo Sambuaga and Djoko Susilo. (Note: Sambuaga heads DPR's Commission I which deals with international affairs and security. Susilo serves on the same committee and is known for his advocacy of human rights issues.) Both Sambuaga and Susilo acknowledged the seriousness of the situation in Zimbabwe, adding that they would try to convince the Indonesian government on the need for action. HUME