WINDOW OPEN NOW FOR S&T IN INDONESIA

UNCLAS JAKARTA 002190 SIPDIS UNCLASSIFIED DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EX, IIP/STC, OES/STC, OES/PCI, AND STAS. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPL ID TRBY TPHY TBIO SUBJECT: WINDOW OPEN NOW FOR S&T IN INDONESIA REF: A) Jakarta 1905, B) Jakarta 2025 ¶1. (U) Summary. Post as well as the Government of Indonesia (GOI) have identified science and technology as a priority area for long-term engagement. The GOI is especially keen to conclude a Science and Technology Framework Agreement with the United States as soon as possible in order to facilitate cooperative science and technology activities. Post requests Washington's assistance in three areas: 1) completing the draft text for the S&T Framework Agreement; 2) providing short term science advisors to Jakarta; and 3) including Indonesia in S&T programs targeted for Muslim populations. End summary. -------------- Why Science and Technology? -------------- ¶2. (SBU) While cooperation with Indonesia has improved broadly over the past decade, political stumbling blocks and differing priorities continue to delay progress on many political, economic and commercial issues. Science and technology, however, is an area of strategic importance where U.S. and GOI interests are closely aligned. ¶3. (U) Indonesia, an environmental superpower with critical marine and jungle biodiversity, is home to major oceanic and tectonic processes that affect the climate and environment of the entire world. Protection of these unique resources and investigation of these processes is critical to understanding and responding to a host of international challenges, including natural disasters, climate change, and marine resource depletion. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) recognizes Indonesia's importance to world environmental health, and has demonstrated leadership on environmental issues, proposing the creation of the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) and preparing to host the World Oceans Conference (WOC) and first CTI Summit in May 2009. ¶4. (U) During the past few years, the GOI and USG have recognized our shared interests and Post has moved to capitalize on opportunities and support Indonesian leadership on the environment. The 2006 Natural Hazards MOU and accompanying Implementing Arrangements for tsunami early-warning technologies and volcano monitoring systems have set precedents for successful scientific and technical collaboration between GOI institutions and USG partners. ¶5. (SBU) These successes on environmental science should be used as a platform to push for broad science and technology engagement with Indonesia. Besides the environment, Indonesia is a key country for understanding and combating public health challenges including HIV/AIDS and avian influenza. U.S. scientific expertise is highly respected and provides an important public diplomacy channel for engaging Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation. Finally, advanced competence and capability in science and technology will create a more prosperous Indonesia. ¶6. (U) The first step to advancing this broad S&T partnership will be the completion of a Science and Technology Framework Agreement. A broad blanket agreement will negate the necessity to negotiate separate MOUs for each scientific discipline as is now the case. Such an agreement would also provide baseline protection for intellectual property rights and taxation, removing these hurdles from negotiations on implementing arrangements for specific projects. Finally, a framework agreement would institutionalize a mechanism for developing and implementing bilateral cooperative S&T projects. -------------- Why now? -------------- ¶7. (SBU) SBY's interest and personal support for collaboration on environmental issues, natural hazards, and marine affairs provides a foundation for securing access for engagement across the full range of scientific and technological disciplines. Minister of Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman has specifically raised completion of an S&T Framework Agreement as a priority for the GOI. (See Reftel A) However, this high-level support is not guaranteed after the legislative and presidential elections in 2009. ¶8. (SBU) Our supporters within GOI institutions are prepared to move quickly to codify cooperative activities. For example, during a recent workshop a representative of the State Ministry of Research and Technology (MINRISTEK) stated that the GOI is awaiting the U.S. draft for an S&T Framework Agreement and could be prepared to review for signing by the end of 2008. Such speed is not customary. We should take advantage of this strong Indonesian interest now in order to advance U.S. interests in broad scientific engagement. -------------- Post outreach strategy on S&T -------------- ¶9. (U) Outreach to Indonesian legislature: Post has established an outreach program to key committees of the Indonesian legislature. In order to alert the Indonesian House of Representatives (DRP) of upcoming bilateral S&T activities, Post will brief the Chairman and staffers from the DPR Commission VII (which covers energy, natural mineral resources, research and technology, and the environment). This commission is roughly equivalent to the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology. ¶10. (U) Multilateral initiatives: Post is reaching out to local foreign embassies in Jakarta to identify ways that S&T outreach can be coordinated more effectively on a multilateral level. In particular, Post is interested in including Indonesia more fully in G8 discussions on science and technology. Additionally, Post will seek to include S&T innovation as a designated area of cooperation under the Trilateral Security Dialogue with Japan and Australia. -------------- How DC can support? -------------- ¶11. (U) S&T Framework Agreement: Post requests a draft text for the S&T Framework Agreement, drawing as much as possible from already agreed language from the U.S.-Indonesia MOU on Natural Hazards. ¶12. (U) Science Fellow: Post requests Washington's assistance in securing individuals with science backgrounds for short term postings (3 months) as resident science advisors in Jakarta. (See Reftel B) The science advisor will work directly with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI) as well as other relevant government ministries to assist in long-term planning for U.S.-Indonesian engagement on science and technology. Additionally, the advisor will track progress on the S&T Framework Agreement and seek to identify opportunities for its application with Indonesian counterparts. ¶13. (SBU) Muslim World Outreach and Science: Post wishes to be considered for projects designed for outreach to Muslims on S&T, including the Muslims in Science and Women Leaders in Science programs. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim-majority nation and Indonesian interest is very high in U.S. science and technology. Such programs would support shared goals on advancing science and research as well as provide exceptional public diplomacy opportunities for the USG, both within Indonesia and the broader Muslim community. HUME