GOI DEPLOYS PEACEKEEPERS TO DARFUR

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001912 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, PM, DRL, IO, IO/UNP, AF AF/SPG FOR JOSH DRAKE; EMILY BRUNO SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/AP - P.IPSEN PM FOR JENNIFER HANLEY NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/15/2018 TAGS: PREL MARR PKO ID SU SUBJECT: GOI DEPLOYS PEACEKEEPERS TO DARFUR REF: A. STATE 108482 ¶B. JAKARTA 1390 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Indonesia has deployed a police peacekeeping unit to Darfur. The deployment came after a series of delays reflecting Indonesian concerns regarding Darfur security-related developments and logistical challenges. The Darfur deployment reflects the GOI's continued commitment to international peacekeeping, which includes the stationing of contingents of military personnel in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and Congo (MONUC). END SUMMARY. DEPLOYED TO DARFUR ¶2. (SBU) GOI police peacekeepers have arrived in Darfur to join UNAMID. The Indonesian government recently deployed a 140-person Formed Police Unit (FPU) to North Darfur, Deputy Director for International Security at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) Fikry Cassidy told poloff on October ¶14. The police unit, comprised of Mobile Brigade (BRIMOB) and health officers, is slated to be in Sudan for one year. Police sources state that the planned deployment of a second tranche of 140 peacekeepers would occur in December. OVERCOMING DELAYS ¶3. (SBU) There were some delays in getting the police to Darfur. President Yudhoyono originally signed a Presidential Decree in February of this year authorizing the police unit to deploy in March 2008. A mixture of tensions on the ground in Darfur and logistical problems led to several postponements. Unexpected GOI budgetary constraints delayed the deployment, for example. In addition, the Sudanese government delayed issuance of visas. It also took some time to get equipment and supplies to reach Darfur from Port Sudan. A DEEP COMMITMENT TO PEACEKEEPING ¶4. (C) The Indonesian government is deeply committed to international peacekeeping operations. Indonesia deployed two full army peacekeeping battalions to UNIFIL in Lebanon and is considering a third. It also has just sent new military personnel to replace a unit rotating out of MONUC in Congo. From the Indonesian perspective, deploying peacekeeping forces both demonstrates and promotes reform and professionalism among security forces, a factor that is important at home and in Indonesia's image abroad. HEFFERN