DEATH OF FORMER FM ALI ALATAS: SUGGESTED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002232 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/ES-O, EAP, EAP/MLS, EAP/MTS NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV OVIP ID SUBJECT: DEATH OF FORMER FM ALI ALATAS: SUGGESTED STATEMENT AND CONDOLENCE LETTER REF: EMBASSY JAKARTA-S/ES-O TELCON DECEMBER 11 JAKARTA 00002232 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request. Please see paras 6-7. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas died of a heart attack in the early morning of Thursday, December 11, 2008. A seminal figure in the history of Asian diplomacy, Alatas will be buried early on December 12, 2008, in Jakarta. The Ambassador will attend the funeral and recommends that the Secretary issue a statement hailing Alatas's achievements and send a letter of condolence to FM Wirajuda. Suggested text for these messages follow. END SUMMARY. A SEMINAL FIGURE ¶3. (U) Former FM Ali Alatas died of a heart attack in a Singapore hospital early December 11. He will be buried in an official ceremony on December 12 at the National Heroes' Cemetery in Jakarta. Ambassador Hume plans to attend the funeral. Alatas was 76 years of age and is survived by his wife and three children. The GOI has not yet announced plans for any additional memorial service. ¶4. (U) Alatas served as FM from 1988 until 1999 and played a key role managing Indonesia's foreign relations. He led Indonesia's establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1989. He also successfully helped broker the 1991 Cambodia peace accord. Alatas also managed what was perhaps Indonesia's most difficult foreign policy challenge--the independence of East Timor. He provided a steady hand in foreign policy during the uncertainty that accompanied the fall of Suharto. ¶5. (U) After he left office, Alatas remained active in foreign affairs. He served as President Yudhoyono's Special Envoy on Burma and pressed the regime to undertake democratic reforms, and to release political prisoners. He served on the ASEAN Eminent Persons Group and was one of the GOI's foremost advisers on ASEAN and Indonesia's bilateral relations with its Southeast Asian neighbors. ACTION REQUESTS ¶6. (U) The Ambassador recommends that the Secretary issue a statement. Suggested text for this statement follows: Begin text of statement: Death of Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas Statement by Secretary Condoleezza Rice Washington, DC December 11, 2008 The people of the United States and the world join Indonesians in mourning the death of former Foreign Minister Ali Alatas. He will be remembered for his tireless efforts to ensure peace and security in Southeast Asia. He brokered the historic 1991 Cambodian peace settlement and helped lead ASEAN's effort to enshrine the values of democracy and respect for human rights in the organization's Charter. Ali Alatas was a friend of the United States and he provided wise leadership amid the uncertainties of those historic months a decade ago when Indonesia rejected authoritarian rule and embraced democracy. On behalf of the United States, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and to the people of Indonesia at this time of loss. End text of statement. ¶7. (U) Mission further recommends that the Secretary also send a condolence message to Foreign Minister Wirajuda. Proposed text for the Secretary's letter follows: JAKARTA 00002232 002.2 OF 002 Begin text of letter: Dear Mr. Minister, On behalf of the United States, I want to express our deepest sympathy on the death of former Foreign Minister Ali Alatas. Ali Alatas worked tirelessly to promote our shared values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights. He safeguarded Indonesia's place in the world and provided wise leadership during Indonesia's transition to democracy. He fought for democracy and justice in Burma. Finally, Ali Alatas was a great friend of the United States and promoted people-to-people ties between our two countries. Please convey my sincere condolences to his many friends and colleagues in Indonesia and, most of all, to his family. Sincerely, Condoleezza Rice End text of letter. HUME