USG HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES AT UNGA: INDONESIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001688 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, IO, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, IO/RHS (JOVIN), DRL/MLGA (SICADE) NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA ID SUBJECT: USG HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES AT UNGA: INDONESIAN RESPONSE REF: STATE 93981 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission has urged the GOI to support U.S. positions on the various specific resolutions slated for discussion in the Third Committee of the upcoming UN General Assembly. Department of Foreign Affairs officials from two separate offices took our points on board, but made no commitment on specific draft resolutions. Mission will continue to look for opportunities to make USG points. It is obvious that the GOI will be difficult to get on board regarding country-specific resolutions, although Burma may possibly be an exception. END SUMMARY. HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE ¶2. (C) On September 4, DepPol/C discussed reftel themes at length with Laslo Simbolon, a senior official in the Directorate for Human Rights at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU). Reviewing reftel points, DepPol/C urged that the GOI consider each of the draft resolutions on the basis of its merits. ¶3. (C) Simbolon said he would make sure the Foreign Minister's Office received the U.S. points. Simbolon offered the following comments on the specific resolutions: -- Burma: the GOI had no position yet on the Burma draft resolution. The GOI supported multilateral good offices and the focus group to address issues. The GOI had been assertive within ASEAN on human rights in Burma and remained concerned about the human rights situation there. -- Sudan: the GOI would consider the U.S. position. -- Other country specific resolutions: Simbolon said the GOI was "fatigued" by these types of resolutions because he claimed nothing ever came of them. The Indonesian government would only support a draft resolution provided that it provides for real protection of human rights. -- Freedom of Expression: the GOI's position would depend on the wording. -- Defamation of religions: this was an issue that was deeply felt by Islamic countries. The Indonesian government would use its influence to ensure the presence of "healthy" language in the final resolution that would not divide the Islamic world from the West. AMERICAS DESK ¶4. (C) Also on September 4, poloff reiterated reftel points in a meeting with Cicilia Rusdiharini, Deputy Director for North American Affairs at DEPLU. Poloff underscored the importance of opposing no-action motions in order to allow the Third Committee an opportunity to examine key human rights issues. He also urged Indonesia to support key country specific resolutions, including those on Iran, Burma, and the DPRK. Poloff also shared USG views on thematic resolutions and urged Indonesia to support the USG view on these matters. ¶5. (C) Indonesia has historically joined the Non-Aligned Movement consensus on Third Committee resolutions and voted in favor of no-action motions and often voted against the USG's priority resolutions. In a key exception, however, Indonesia opposed the no-action motion on Burma in 2007, although it subsequently abstained on the resolution. Given this record, and Indonesia's increasing criticism of Burma in ASEAN, Poloff pressed for greater Indonesian support on this issue in the 2008 vote. JAKARTA 00001688 002 OF 002 ¶6. (C) Rusdiharini acknowledged that Burma had significant human rights problems and reviewed Indonesia's efforts to press for reform there, including President Yudhoyono's frequent letters to Senior General Than Shwe and FM Wirajuda's support for tough ASEAN statements on developments in Burma. She said Indonesia's position would depend on the content of the resolution. Poloff urged Indonesia to work with us and our like-minded partners to craft a resolution that Indonesia and other ASEAN members could support. Rusdiharini responded that Indonesia looked forward to working with us on this matter. CONTINUING TO PRESS U.S. POINTS ¶7. (U) Mission will continue to look for opportunities to make USG points, including with the President's Office and key parliamentarians. It is obvious that the GOI will be difficult to get on board with some of the country-specific resolutions, although--as reviewed above--Burma may possibly be an exception. HUME