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.


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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

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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

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in demanding that Burma undertake democratic reforms. The
regime must begin a dialogue with the opposition and with
ethnic minority groups.

HUME