ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM -- POINTS FOR POSSIBLE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 JAKARTA 001384 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV ID SUBJECT: ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM -- POINTS FOR POSSIBLE MEETING WITH INDONESIAN FM WIRAJUDA Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: If the Secretary meets Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda on the margins of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore, we suggest that she urge the GOI to carry out the recommendations of the report of the Indonesia-Timor-Leste Commission on Truth and Friendship. We also suggest that the Secretary press Wirajuda on problems in bilateral health cooperation, and review key points re Iran's nuclear program, the Middle East peace process and Burma. END SUMMARY. INDONESIA-TIMOR-LESTE RECONCILIATION ¶2. (C) BACKGROUND: The bilateral Commission on Truth and Friendship (CTF) presented its report to the leaders of Indonesia and Timor-Leste on July 15. The report is highly critical of GOI security forces and holds the Indonesian military "institutionally responsible" for gross human rights violations committed in 1999. The report also found that groups which supported East Timor's independence were responsible for human rights violations. In a joint statement and other remarks, the leaders of both countries expressed remorse to the victims and underscored that the report was a key step in the reconciliation process. ¶3. (C) The report's key recommendations are: - Ensure accountability and institutional reform by providing human rights training to the security forces and strengthening investigative bodies; - Promote conflict resolution and provide psycho-social services for victims; - Resolve outstanding asset disputes and other economic issues; - Create a commission for disappeared persons; - Make recommendations for official acknowledgment and apology for the events of 1999; and - Promote educational and cultural exchanges, health cooperation and a shared respect for the rule of law and human rights. (Note: Mission will report more fully on the report via septel.) ¶4. (SBU) TALKING POINTS: --We welcome the joint effort to investigate and to determine the facts regarding events in East Timor, as contained in the public report of the Commission on Truth and Friendship. --Official acknowledgment by the governments of Indonesia and Timor-Leste of institutional responsibility for the gross human rights violations committed in East Timor represents a positive step toward establishing accountability for those violations. --The U.S. also welcomes both governments' commitment to prevent such atrocities in the future by implementing institutional reforms. We encourage Indonesia and Timor-Leste to carry out the measures recommended by the Commission on Truth and Friendship and reaffirm our willingness to assist in these reforms. --Acceptance of the need for meaningful reform presents the opportunity to make a significant contribution to justice in both countries. JAKARTA 00001384 002 OF 004 BILATERAL HEALTH COOPERATION THREATENED ¶5. (C) BACKGROUND: In violation of established global health security institutions and processes, the Indonesian government refuses to share disease samples with the WHO Influenza Surveillance Network. This refusal threatens scientific cooperation that could prevent an influenza pandemic and increases the likelihood of more seasonal flu deaths in the U.S. (now at 40,000 annually) due to less comprehensive flu vaccines. Indonesia has the highest number of avian influenza cases (135) and fatalities (110) in the world. The U.S. and international partners want to help Indonesia prevent a possible global pandemic, but the Indonesian government needs to cooperate. ¶6. (C) One bilateral element of this problem concerns the U.S. Naval Area Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-2) in Indonesia. The Health Minister has repeatedly called for NAMRU-2's closure and questioned the official status of NAMRU-2's U.S. government staff. The behavior of the Health Minister is damaging the broader bilateral relationship and President Yudhoyono has made little effort to reign her in. NAMRU-2 is a premier scientific organization that benefits both Indonesia and the U.S. The Minister's attacks have halted nearly completed negotiations for a new Memorandum of Understanding for NAMRU-2's continued operation in Indonesia. FM Wirajuda has stated that the GOI believes only two of NAMRU-2's personnel should have diplomatic status. Without administrative and technical (A&T) status for all officials, NAMRU-2 would not be able to operate. At this time, we understand that the GOI is conducting an inter-agency review of the matter. ¶7. (SBU) TALKING POINTS: -- Indonesia has a moral and UN treaty obligation to monitor and report infectious disease cases and to collaborate with the global health community in developing effective vaccines. --Indonesia's refusal to share samples endangers global health and increases the chances of a pandemic from untested Indonesian strains. It is essential that Indonesia resume cooperation with the WHO and other international health security institutions. -- (If asked) NAMRU-2 benefits Indonesia and the United States. We want NAMRU-2 to remain, and we want to work with Indonesia in fighting disease, but we can do so only if Indonesia is willing to collaborate on a professional basis. We need A&T status--not diplomatic--status for all U.S. NAMRU-2 officials. IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM ¶8. (C) BACKGROUND: Although Indonesia abstained on UNSCR 1803 regarding Iran's nuclear program, Indonesia opposes Iran's developing nuclear weapons. Indonesian leaders worry that international action regarding Iran's nuclear program--including the UNSCRs--could erode the right of countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy under Article IV of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). Indonesian leaders have also voiced concern that UNSC sanctions on Iran would disrupt what they describe as Iranian cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). (Note: FM Wirajuda is likely to travel to Iran July 27-30 for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, although his participation is not yet confirmed.) ¶9. (SBU) TALKING POINTS: --The United States and the international community support Iran's right to a peaceful nuclear program so long as Tehran JAKARTA 00001384 003 OF 004 meets all UNSC, IAEA and other nonproliferation obligations. --The P5 1 offer demonstrates that the United States and our partners are serious about engaging Iran on all issues--including a civil nuclear program--if Iran immediately halts all enrichment activities. --Indonesia should use its influence with Tehran to urge Iran to halt all enrichment activities and accept the P5 1 offer. MIDDLE EAST PEACE ¶10. (C) BACKGROUND: FM Wirajuda attended the Annapolis Peace Conference and Indonesia supports the Annapolis process. Indonesian leaders have a realistic understanding of what they can do to contribute to that process. Though they do not have diplomatic links with Israel, Indonesia endorses the call for the creation of a Palestinian state that would coexist peacefully with Israel. Indonesian officials have generally avoided comment on sensitive political issues under discussion in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Instead, Indonesian leaders are increasingly focused on concrete actions that can help improve the lives of the Palestinian people and help prepare the Palestinian Authority for eventual statehood. Toward that end, Indonesia and South Africa co-hosted a capacity building conference for the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Jakarta on July 14. The conference generated pledges of training and support for the PA in areas such as agriculture, economic growth, education and health. ¶11. (SBU) TALKING POINTS: --The U.S. remains committed to implementing the Roadmap and realizing the President's vision of a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace and security. --We appreciate Indonesia's efforts to promote peace, tolerance and moderation in the Muslim world. --We encourage Indonesia and other countries to assist the Palestinian Authority in preparing for eventual statehood. --It is important that sensitive political issues be left to the bilateral negotiations that are ongoing between the Israelis and Palestinians. BURMA ¶12. (C) BACKGROUND: While Burma will feature prominently in the ARF agenda, Mission also recommends the Secretary raise it bilaterally. Indonesian officials admit frustration with the lack of democratic reform in Burma. They argue that sanctions have failed to produce real change and admit that ASEAN's strategy of engagement has also not resulted in significant progress. Indonesian leaders--and President Yudhoyono in particular--believe that Indonesia's experience going from a military-dominated authoritarian government to a democracy will give them greater credibility with the Burmese generals. Yudhoyono has repeatedly written to senior General Than Shwe to urge him to undertake reforms but the Burmese strongman has not responded substantively. The regime's obstruction of international relief operations following cyclone Nargis furthered Indonesian frustration with Burma's rulers. ¶13. (SBU) TALKING POINTS: --As the largest democracy in East Asia and the leader of ASEAN, Indonesia has a critical role to play promoting democratic change in Burma. --We encourage Indonesia and its ASEAN partners to stand firm JAKARTA 00001384 004 OF 004 in demanding that Burma undertake democratic reforms. The regime must begin a dialogue with the opposition and with ethnic minority groups. HUME