BURMA -- USG-FUNDED PANEL DISCUSSIONS SET TO BEGIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002091

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/PD (K.STOLTZ),DRL (G.PAZ),
EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP, G (K.CURRIE)
NSC FOR E.PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KDEM BM ID
SUBJECT: BURMA -- USG-FUNDED PANEL DISCUSSIONS SET TO BEGIN
SOON

REF: A. JAKARTA 1663

B. JAKARTA 1143

C. JAKARTA 1017

D. JAKARTA 481

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).


1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General
Surabaya.


2. (C) SUMMARY: A USG-funded "road show" meant to raise
public awareness about the human rights situation in Burma
will kick off in early December, traveling to three major
Indonesian universities. The program of panel discussions
and a NDI-sponsored photo exhibit is a spin-off from
Mission's successful conference on Burma in March 2008. A
key Indonesian legislator will be the keynote speaker at all
events. The road show, the third Burma-related outreach
event that Mission has been involved in this year, hopefully
will help stimulate further awareness and action among the
Indonesian public. END SUMMARY.

BURMA "ROAD SHOW"


3. (SBU) The USG-funded Burma "road show" is slated to begin
soon. Indonesians involved in the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Myanmar Caucus will stage a program of panel discussions and
a photo exhibit at three major university campuses in
December and January (ref A). The project is funded with
$6,300 from the USG's Public Diplomacy Small Democracy Grant
program. The road show will travel to the following three
universities spanning the length of Java:

-- The University of Parayangan in Bandung, West Java;

-- The University of Diponegoro in Semarang, Central Java;
and,

-- The University of Brawijaya in Malang, East Java.


4. (SBU) Djoko Susilo, a leading member of the Indonesian
parliament (DPR) Myanmar Caucus and outspoken defender of
human rights and democracy in Burma and elsewhere in the
world, will lead the panel discussions at the three events,
along with prominent scholars. Mission has been working
closely with Susilo on the project.


5. (SBU) As part of the road show, the National Democracy
Institute (NDI) is providing a 25-panel photo exhibit
depicting the democratic movement in Burma from 1988 to
September 2007, including photos taken from the September
2007 uprising. A movie on the Burma democracy movement will
also be screened as part of the program. The exhibit will
remain on campus and open to the public for three days
following each event.


6. (SBU) The British EMBASSY is sponsoring other seminars
being held at three other universities: the University
of Indonesia in Jakarta; University of Gadjah Mada in
Yogyakarta; and, Airlangga University in Surabaya. Two of
these events have already taken place with large and engaged
audiences and widespread publicity.

SPIN OFF FROM SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCE


7. (SBU) Susilo attended much of the two-day EAP/PD-funded
Burma conference sponsored by the Mission in March (Ref D).
He told DepPol/C that the conference inspired him to be more
active on the Burma issue. He also took part in a May visit
by Burmese exiles sponsored by the National Democratic
Institute (NDI) (Ref C).


JAKARTA 00002091 002 OF 002


ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER


8. (C) Many Indonesians remain very concerned about the
situation in Burma. This was shown in Parliament's recent
action re the ASEAN Charter. While Parliament ratified the
Charter, it also issued "guidance" requesting that the GOI
look into ways to strengthen ASEAN's human rights mechanisms.
Legislators like Susilo were at the forefront of this
effort. The road show, the third Burma-related outreach
event that Mission has been involved in this year, hopefully
will help stimulate further awareness and action among the
Indonesian public.
HUME