THAILAND/CAMBODIA -- GOI TRIES TO HELP CALM

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001910 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP NSC FOR E. PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV ID CB TH SUBJECT: THAILAND/CAMBODIA -- GOI TRIES TO HELP CALM TENSIONS REF: A. BANGKOK 3082 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. PHNOM PENH 814 AND PREVIOUS ¶C. JAKARTA 1410 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: President Yudhoyono has made calls to the Cambodian and Thai leaders urging them to work to calm down tensions related to the two countries' border dispute. We were told that both sides listened to Yudhoyono's points, but made no specific commitments. Contacts have told us that the GOI plans to continue its outreach effort to the two governments while also working with other ASEAN partners to press for a solution. In light of ASEAN's continuing challenge with Burma, the GOI clearly wants to make sure that this dispute does not erode ASEAN credibility further. END SUMMARY. YUDHOYONO ON THE PHONE ¶2. (C) The GOI has been active regarding the Thai-Cambodia situation. In an October 14 conversation, Dino Djalal, President Yudhoyono's chief foreign policy adviser, told Charge that Yudhoyono had placed calls to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. Subsequently, Yudhoyono spoke to the press and was quoted as stating: "...I talked with Prime Minister Hun Sen on the latest situation on the border. I hoped no armed conflict would take place and (that) dialogue could be continued in line with the peaceful spirit of ASEAN. I have also called Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to convey my worries because if the conflict continues it will become worse. I will continue to monitor their good will. Moreover, Indonesia as one of the ASEAN founding fathers is expected to be able to help solve the conflict." GOI TO KEEP TRYING ¶3. (C) Tri Sukma "Nanu" Djandam, who works for Djalal in the president's office, told Pol/C on October 15 that neither leader had made any specific commitments in the phone calls. That said, the GOI was heartened that several hours after the calls Cambodian officials publicly announced that Thai forces had withdrawn from the area. ¶4. (C) The GOI aims to remain active on the matter. Djandam commented that the GOI will continue to offer its "good offices" to both parties. He said that the next opportunity to do this will likely be early next week when the Thai Foreign Minister visits Jakarta. This was a trip that the Thai PM was slated to make, but he had to cancel due to the domestic situation in Thailand. There might also be discussions next week on the margins of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijng (Yudhoyono will represent Indonesia there). ASEAN CREDIBILITY ON THE LINE ¶5. (C) In working on the Thai-Cambodia dispute, the GOI clearly wants to make sure that ASEAN credibility does not erode further. ASEAN has faced a serious challenge with Burma--and reaped a great deal of criticism for the lack of results. Djandam said the GOI is keeping its other ASEAN parties and the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta fully briefed. Indonesia wanted to make sure that Thai-Cambodian tensions did not disrupt the organization's work. He said the GOI hoped the situation would stabilize in time for the ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in December. HEFFERN