Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA1492
2008-08-06 06:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:  

SCIENCE FELLOW PROGRAM STRENGTHENS MARINE COOPERATION WITH

Tags:  EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PGOV ID 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4416
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #1492/01 2190608
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 060608Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9714
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8497
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2318
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5266
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2862
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4788
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001492 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES AND EAP
COMMERCE FOR NOAA
USAID FOR ANE, EGAT
BANGKOK FOR RDM/A
NSC FOR CEQ CONNAUGHTON, VAN DYKE, KUSKA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PGOV ID
SUBJECT: SCIENCE FELLOW PROGRAM STRENGTHENS MARINE COOPERATION WITH
INDONESIA

REF: A. JAKARTA 1483

B. JAKARTA 1289

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001492

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR OES AND EAP
COMMERCE FOR NOAA
USAID FOR ANE, EGAT
BANGKOK FOR RDM/A
NSC FOR CEQ CONNAUGHTON, VAN DYKE, KUSKA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PGOV ID
SUBJECT: SCIENCE FELLOW PROGRAM STRENGTHENS MARINE COOPERATION WITH
INDONESIA

REF: A. JAKARTA 1483

B. JAKARTA 1289


1. (U) Summary: The Embassy Science Fellow program has been a
valuable asset for Post, providing insight into the priorities of
the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (DKP),and showing that
DKP is open to advice about on how to make its organization more
effective. Minister Numberi has committed to take specific steps
based on Science Fellow's recommendations, including restructuring
the management of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) in order to
strengthen the planning and implementation of a national CTI
program. Embassy Science Fellow explored ways in which to achieve
the goals of the MOU between DKP and NOAA, an important vehicle for
advancing our bilateral cooperation. Using the World Ocean
Conference (May 2009) as a vehicle to engage DKP could further
enhance the benefits of our collaboration. End Summary.

NOAA-DKP MOU an Important Vehicle for Moving Forward


2. (U) NOAA Embassy Science Fellow Dr. Mary Baker recently met with
Minister Freddy Numberi and officials of the Ministry of Marine
Affairs and Fisheries (DKP) -- including Widi Agoes Pratikto
(Secretary General) and Dr. Sunggul Sinaga (Director for
International Cooperation). She reviewed and discussed
recommendations for achieving the goals of the MOU signed by DKP and
NOAA in September 2007. These recommendations were derived during
six weeks of extensive discussions with managers and staff at DKP to
evaluate their priorities, plans, and ongoing programs.


3. (U) During discussions, it clearly emerged that decentralization
of authority from the national to the provincial and district level
has created challenges for DKP. Coastal communities are pressured
by increased food and fuel prices, and by effects caused by global
climate change (Ref B). Discussions with Directors-General and
staff identified several priorities for implementation of the MOU
and continued partnership with NOAA (Ref A). Capacity building,
training, and educational exchanges are priorities for all parts of
DKP, and are specifically mentioned in the MOU. Other issues raised

by DKP staff included:

-- Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI): DKP is providing international
leadership of the CTI by hosting the regional secretariat. There is
no separate organization to develop and implement a national CTI
program, which must be developed before May 2009 when implementation
of the initiative begins. This may leave the impression that the
program is not fully supported.

-- The Sea Partnership Program (SPP) is specifically mentioned in
Law 27/2007 on Coastal Zone and Small Islands Management as an
implementation arm for the Ministry. However, its mission and goals
remain somewhat unfocused, and the program is lack in project
funding. The private sector has not been engaged nationally.

DKP Open and Responsive to USG Suggestions


4. (U) In response to these issues, Dr. Baker recommended elevating
management of CTI and the Sea Partnership program to the Secretary
General level. This would give the programs a broader perspective,
and would allow the Planning Bureau to make connections between
needs and capacities, and to oversee projects that serve the
interests of multiple Directorates Generals (DGs) and Bureaus. Dr.
Baker also conveyed some specific recommendations to implement the
CTI using the Sea Partnership Program and to clarify and strengthen
the goals and implementation of the programs.


5. (U) Minister Numberi agreed to consider several specific actions
to implement these recommendations. He reiterated the importance of
demonstrating Indonesia's accomplishments under the Coral Triangle
Initiative, and agreed to restructure management of the CTI within
DKP. He will also identify DG-specific needs in capacity building
and for program integration, and will create a strategic plan for
DKP for 2010 and beyond. Minister Numberi expressed his desire for
transparency and accountability in implementing CTI activities in
Indonesia, and looks forward to a productive relationship with NOAA,
USAID, and the rest of the USG.


JAKARTA 00001492 002 OF 002


Science Fellow Program Furthers US-Indonesia Collaboration


6. (U) NOAA will be developing next steps to support the MOU, based
on Dr. Baker's work. This would include assigning points of
contact, creating NOAA working groups to work with the Ministry to
focus further partnership, and determine whether a further
implementation agreement will be developed. NOAA's partnership will
help inform DKP-USAID collaboration on CTI and other projects.
USAID is committed to supporting the regional and national action
plans under CTI. USAID's Regional mission in Bangkok is now in the
process of procuring services from NGOs and contractors for up to
$40 million to support CTI.


7. (U) Minister Numberi will also create a strategic plan for DKP
for 2010 and beyond -- a process that USG assistance is
facilitating. The USAID Jakarta Mission will provide the services
of a well-qualified and -experienced team of people to perform a
study for the institutional strengthening of DKP (Ref B). USAID has
discussed this with the Secretary General, and it will be tailored
to fit the mutually-agreed needs of DKP.


HUME