ACEH -- AMBASSADOR REVIEWS SITUATION WITH NATIONAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000144

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, INL/AAE
AID FOR K. ROSEN
NSC FOR E. PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS ID
SUBJECT: ACEH -- AMBASSADOR REVIEWS SITUATION WITH NATIONAL
POLICE CHIEF


Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador recently reviewed the
situation in Aceh with General Sutanto, Indonesia's national
police chief. The Ambassador noted recent trends that were
of concern, including the failure of local officials to make
full use of federal funds and a rising crime rate in the
province. Sutanto said he shared these concerns, adding that
he planned to pay closer attention to the situation in Aceh
in the future. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) On January 17, Ambassador Hume discussed the
situation in Aceh with General Sutanto (one name only),
commander of the Indonesian national police. The Ambassador
said he hoped to visit Aceh again in the near future, in part
in response to requests from senior Indonesian officials,
such as Aceh Trust Fund Chair Pak Kontoro. The Ambassador
said some of the trends were of concern: failure of local
government authorities to make full use of the $400 million
in federal funds transferred to their account in 2007;
expectations that the funds transferred would rise to $800
million in 2008, without evidence of increased capacity to
manage that funding level; and, a rising crime rate, in part
attributed to unemployed former GAM fighters. On the one
hand, the Aceh Trust Fund operation was scheduled to end in a
year. On the other hand, both the local authorities and the
federal authorities in Aceh, such as the police, seemed at a
loss on how to address these problems and instill new
momentum into the peace process.


3. (C) General Sutanto said he shared these concerns. In
response to his question on what might be done now, the
Ambassador replied that he would not have detailed views on
what programs would help at least until he had a chance to
return to Aceh and look at the situation first hand.
However, it was certain that the current problems were
creating more distrust between local authorities and federal
authorities in Aceh, and that neither side could address
problems such as crime on their own. If the police stepped
up their activities without public support from Governor
Irwandi and his colleagues, the public might side with
criminal elements. Likewise Irwandi could not lower the
crime rate without an active role by the police. Both had to
work together and be seen by the public to work together in
order to expand the level of trust needed to sustain the
peace agreement.


4. (C) Sutanto said he intended to pay closer attention to
events in Aceh. He said he would be sure the orders were
clear for the police to play a proper role in combating crime
within the correct limits and in coordination with local
authorities. In addition, he felt that the problem of trust
between the two sides remained an issue, and he would welcome
any steps that could be taken to increase cooperation and
momentum behind the peace agreement.

HUME