REDUCED PIRACY IN INDONESIAN WATERS DUE TO TRAINING,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002175 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: EWWT PHSA PREL ID SUBJECT: REDUCED PIRACY IN INDONESIAN WATERS DUE TO TRAINING, COORDINATION, AND STABILITY ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU). Please protect accordingly. ¶2. (U) Summary. Sustained peace in Aceh, increased Marine Police capabilities as a result of additional assets and training provided by USG and others, and improved coordination with Singapore authorities have led to a steady decline in reports of pirate attacks in the Strait of Malacca (SOM) and Indonesia since 2005. Since that time, there have only been two significant attacks on vessels in the SOM. According to police and navy contacts, the majority of incidents currently reported are sea robbery -- attacks that take place in port while the ship is berthed or anchored rather than piracy. End Summary. Piracy Reports Down Significantly -------------- ¶3. (U) Between 2000 to 2005, Indonesian waters and the SOM were considered among the world's most dangerous waters for pirate attacks. Lloyd's of London in 2005 declared the SOM an "area with security threats to shipping" causing insurance premiums to rise. Lloyd's removed the SOM from the ranking in 2006 after marked improvements. Data from the Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Reporting Center of the International Chamber of Commerce, International Maritime Bureau (IMB) shows a sustained decrease in incident reports in Indonesia and the SOM since 2005. Indeed Indonesia is on track for the first time in a decade to not be the country with the most number of piracy reports (Note: IMB data showed Nigeria, India, and the Gulf of Aden having more reported attacks than Indonesia in the first quarter of 2008.) Marine police and Indonesian Navy contacts indicate much of the reported piracy is actually "sea robbery", attacks that take place in port while the ship is berthed or anchored. Piracy Decreased After Peace Accords -------------- ¶4. (SBU) To a significant extent, SOM piracy was a function of the conflict in Indonesia's Aceh Province, where the Aceh Independence Movement (GAM) was fighting a separatist battle against the national government. When the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) between the central government and GAM broke down in 2000, incidents of piracy in the SOM and the Eastern coast of Sumatra increased significantly. During this period, piracy incidents were generally in the SOM along the northern edge of Sumatra with isolated incidents off the coast of Bangka Island. According to police and military sources, the majority of cases were attributed to the Free Aceh Movement rebels. Other observers and ship owners based in Medan have said some of this piracy was carried out by members of the Indonesian security forces posing as Aceh rebels. After the 2005 Helsinki peace accord, incidents of piracy dropped dramatically. Since that time, there have been only two significant attacks on vessels in the SOM. Other reported attacks were on vessels parked at or near ports. U.S. Assistance Improves Security -------------- ¶5. (SBU) INL-funded Department of Justice (DOJ)/ International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) assistance to the National Police has helped develop Marine Police capabilities in the SOM and near Bangka Island to deter and capture pirates. Patrol boats and training provided over the last year have led to a dramatic increase in the number of arrests for sea robbery and piracy. According to Colonel Yassin, Marine Police Director in Batam, the increased capabilities from the boats allowed for increased coordination with Singaporean counterparts. Since then, the Indonesian Marine Police and Singapore Customs and Marine Police have begun to meet regularly and increase their coordination on patrols. The boats have also been instrumental in interdicting shipments of illegal logs, illegal immigrants, and smuggled fuel. ¶6. (SBU) U.S. assistance in the pipeline will further boost Indonesian capability in the near future. Through assistance provided under Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) is installing a system of land- and sea-based radars along the east coast of Sumatra which will enable the Indonesian Navy to deter piracy and improve security in the SOM. The system is slated for completion in 2009. Continued Assistance Needed to Maintain Security -------------- --- ¶7. (SBU) Marine Police and Indonesian Navy contacts note that security is enhanced directly as a result of U.S. assistance. They consider continued training programs and assistance with critical assets vital to maintaining security in the SOM and Indonesian's expansive archipelago. JAKARTA 00002175 002 OF 002 HUME