Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA1368
2008-07-16 09:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:  

ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM -- GOI ON DISASTER RELIEF

Tags:  PREL MASS EAID ARF ASEAN ID 
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VZCZCXRO8156
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #1368 1980913
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 160913Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9541
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS JAKARTA 001368 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP K.SHEIVES, PM
SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/APSA D.WALTON
NSC FOR E.PHU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS EAID ARF ASEAN ID
SUBJECT: ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM -- GOI ON DISASTER RELIEF
PROPOSAL

REF: A. STATE 74383

B. JAKARTA 1319

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001368

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP K.SHEIVES, PM
SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/APSA D.WALTON
NSC FOR E.PHU

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MASS EAID ARF ASEAN ID
SUBJECT: ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM -- GOI ON DISASTER RELIEF
PROPOSAL

REF: A. STATE 74383

B. JAKARTA 1319


1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please
handle accordingly.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a discussion with GOI contact,
DepPol/C reviewed the U.S. proposal to incorporate the
proposed statement on regional disaster relief into the
Chair's statement at the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
meeting in Singapore. Our Department of Foreign Affairs
contact indicated that the GOI could support the proposal in
principal. Our contact, however, related that Indonesia
still wants to discuss the proposal with ASEAN colleagues
before agreeing on a final text. We left the USG non-paper
for further GOI review. END SUMMARY.


3. (SBU) The GOI seems interested in the USG proposal re
ASEAN and regional disaster preparedness. On July 16,
DepPol/C reviewed reftel proposal with Ibnu Hadi, Director
for Intra-Regional Cooperation for Asia-Pacific and Africa in
the Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU).
DepPol/C noted Indonesia's previous support for the creation
of regional disaster relief mechanisms within the ASEAN
Framework.


4. (SBU) Continuing, DepPol/C related that there was only a
short time remaining before the ASEAN Ministerial Conference
slated to begin on July 24. Washington urged Indonesia to
support the U.S. proposal to incorporate the proposed
statement into the ARF Chairman's statement. The USG
proposal was constructive and was focused on improving
disaster response in the region, a key humanitarian
assistance objective.


5. (SBU) Hadi replied that Indonesia agreed with the
substance of the proposal and the idea of incorporating the
statement into the ARF Chairman's statement. That said,
Indonesia wanted to consult with the Singapore chair and
other ASEAN counterparts to ensure that the elements of the
proposed statement were "balanced and in proportion" before
finalizing the text. Indonesia hoped to do this during the
next week and, if necessary, in the first hours of the ASEAN
conference. Hadi expressed confidence that this could be
accomplished in time.


6. (U) DepPol/C urged that GOI do a careful scrub of the
proposal, but to move quickly to signal its acceptance of the
proposal or suggest areas where it could be improved.
DepPol/C left a copy of the non-paper with Hadi for DEPLU
review.

HUME