Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA2051
2008-11-06 03:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
US-ASEAN 7: SUPPORTING A MEETING AT APEC
how-toVZCZCXRO4224 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #2051 3110352 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 060352Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0550 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3248 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 3234 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2691 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 5578 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5093 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2394 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 1431 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1405 RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 4080 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 3080 RUEHBAD/AMCONSUL PERTH 1254 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0982
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 002051
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/RSP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/EP
DEPT FOR EB/IFD/OMA
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018
TAGS: ECON ID PREL XC APEC
SUBJECT: US-ASEAN 7: SUPPORTING A MEETING AT APEC
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 002051
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/RSP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/EP
DEPT FOR EB/IFD/OMA
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018
TAGS: ECON ID PREL XC APEC
SUBJECT: US-ASEAN 7: SUPPORTING A MEETING AT APEC
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission recommends a presidential meeting
with the seven ASEAN leaders present on the margins of the
November 22-23 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Summit in Lima. Indonesian officials and the ASEAN
Secretariat propose using such a meeting to discuss the
global financial crisis, disaster relief, energy, food
security and trade. The ASEAN Secretariat is also prepared
to brief on the Cyclone Nargis relief effort and the way
ahead after ratification of the ASEAN Charter. A joint
briefing by President Bush and President Yudhoyono on the
G-20 Summit would also highlight Indonesia's importance in
our partnership with the region. A meeting would also signal
Washington's continued commitment to Southeast Asia,
especially in light of the global financial situation. END
SUMMARY.
INDONESIAN SUPPORT
2. (C) Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DEPLU) support holding an ASEAN 7 meeting with the President
on the margins of the upcoming APEC Summit in Peru. Ibnu
Hadi, Director for Intra-Regional Cooperation at DEPLU, said
Indonesia wanted to discuss the global financial situation,
energy, food security and disaster relief. Hadi cautioned
against discussion of new U.S.-ASEAN issues since the ASEAN 7
did not represent ASEAN as an entity.
ASEAN SUPPORT
3. (C) ASEAN Secretariat officials likewise urged U.S.-ASEAN
7 dialogue at the APEC Summit. Principal Director for
External Relations Dhannanjaya V. Sunoto said the Secretariat
was interested in discussing the international response to
the global financial crisis as well as cooperation in
disaster management and trade relations. ASEAN Secretary
General Surin Pitsuwan was prepared to report on lessons
learned from the Cyclone Nargis experience in Burma. Surin
could also discuss priorities and the future direction of
ASEAN in light of the recently completed ratification of the
ASEAN Charter by all member states. If Washington welcomed
such briefings, Dhannanjaya suggested, Washington should
formally request Surin's participation in the meeting.
MISSION'S RECOMMENDATION
4. (C) A discussion of these issues at this time would be
useful both for the practical aspects involved and to signal
Washington's commitment to maintaining robust ties with
Southeast Asia. Energy and food security are issues of
considerable concern to Indonesia, as Foreign Minister
Wirajuda's extensive discussion of the topic in his recent UN
General Assembly speech made clear. The discussions and
proposed ASEAN Secretariat briefings could help inform the
transition papers that Washington is preparing for the next
administration.
5. (C) Indonesia is ASEAN's largest nation and is set to
remain a pivotal partner in our strategic partnership with
Southeast Asia, from disaster relief to China's influence to
Burma's role in the region. Given that Indonesia will be the
only ASEAN member state represented at the planned G-20 talks
in Washington on November 15, a joint briefing to ASEAN
leaders in Lima by President Bush and President Yudhoyono on
the Washington Summit would reinforce that message.
HUME
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/RSP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/EP
DEPT FOR EB/IFD/OMA
NSC FOR E.PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018
TAGS: ECON ID PREL XC APEC
SUBJECT: US-ASEAN 7: SUPPORTING A MEETING AT APEC
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission recommends a presidential meeting
with the seven ASEAN leaders present on the margins of the
November 22-23 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
Summit in Lima. Indonesian officials and the ASEAN
Secretariat propose using such a meeting to discuss the
global financial crisis, disaster relief, energy, food
security and trade. The ASEAN Secretariat is also prepared
to brief on the Cyclone Nargis relief effort and the way
ahead after ratification of the ASEAN Charter. A joint
briefing by President Bush and President Yudhoyono on the
G-20 Summit would also highlight Indonesia's importance in
our partnership with the region. A meeting would also signal
Washington's continued commitment to Southeast Asia,
especially in light of the global financial situation. END
SUMMARY.
INDONESIAN SUPPORT
2. (C) Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DEPLU) support holding an ASEAN 7 meeting with the President
on the margins of the upcoming APEC Summit in Peru. Ibnu
Hadi, Director for Intra-Regional Cooperation at DEPLU, said
Indonesia wanted to discuss the global financial situation,
energy, food security and disaster relief. Hadi cautioned
against discussion of new U.S.-ASEAN issues since the ASEAN 7
did not represent ASEAN as an entity.
ASEAN SUPPORT
3. (C) ASEAN Secretariat officials likewise urged U.S.-ASEAN
7 dialogue at the APEC Summit. Principal Director for
External Relations Dhannanjaya V. Sunoto said the Secretariat
was interested in discussing the international response to
the global financial crisis as well as cooperation in
disaster management and trade relations. ASEAN Secretary
General Surin Pitsuwan was prepared to report on lessons
learned from the Cyclone Nargis experience in Burma. Surin
could also discuss priorities and the future direction of
ASEAN in light of the recently completed ratification of the
ASEAN Charter by all member states. If Washington welcomed
such briefings, Dhannanjaya suggested, Washington should
formally request Surin's participation in the meeting.
MISSION'S RECOMMENDATION
4. (C) A discussion of these issues at this time would be
useful both for the practical aspects involved and to signal
Washington's commitment to maintaining robust ties with
Southeast Asia. Energy and food security are issues of
considerable concern to Indonesia, as Foreign Minister
Wirajuda's extensive discussion of the topic in his recent UN
General Assembly speech made clear. The discussions and
proposed ASEAN Secretariat briefings could help inform the
transition papers that Washington is preparing for the next
administration.
5. (C) Indonesia is ASEAN's largest nation and is set to
remain a pivotal partner in our strategic partnership with
Southeast Asia, from disaster relief to China's influence to
Burma's role in the region. Given that Indonesia will be the
only ASEAN member state represented at the planned G-20 talks
in Washington on November 15, a joint briefing to ASEAN
leaders in Lima by President Bush and President Yudhoyono on
the Washington Summit would reinforce that message.
HUME