SOMALI PIRACY -- ENGAGING INDONESIA IN THE CONTACT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002343 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, AF, AF/E, PM, PM/PPA (GLANCY, HOPKINS AND FOSTER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018 TAGS: PREL PHSA MOPS ID SO SUBJECT: SOMALI PIRACY -- ENGAGING INDONESIA IN THE CONTACT GROUP REF: A. STATE 133199 ¶B. JAKARTA 2175 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY/ACTION RECOMMENDATION: We have an opportunity to deepen Indonesia's engagement in the global campaign against piracy. Indonesia has had success fighting piracy in its own waters and would bring valuable experience to the fight against Somali piracy. Mission recommends that we work to secure Indonesian involvement in the Contact Group on Somali Piracy (CGSP) as an observer. A first step would be to invite an Indonesian representative to the January CGSP meeting in New York. END SUMMARY/ACTION RECOMMENDATION. AN OPPORTUNITY ¶2. (C) The time is right to deepen Indonesia's engagement in the global campaign against piracy. Jakarta overcame concerns regarding legal precedent and the use of force to support UN Security Council Resolutions 1838, 1846, and 1851 authorizing international anti-piracy operations around Somalia. This progress came against the backdrop of Indonesia's long-standing adherence to Non-Aligned Movement principles that predisposed Jakarta to be suspicious of such moves. ¶3. (SBU) Indonesia has also suffered the effects of piracy in the Horn of Africa. Somali pirates, for example, continue to hold eleven Indonesian crew members of a Malaysian-owned ship that was recently seized in the Gulf of Aden. INDONESIA'S POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION ¶4. (SBU) Indonesia has had significant success reducing piracy in its own waters, as outlined in Ref B. Indonesia's experience in settling the conflict in Aceh, which helped reduce piracy in the Malacca Strait, gives it relevant expertise in addressing the land-based instability that fuels piracy. Based on its own experiences, Indonesia can contribute valuable insights regarding the coordination and training of anti-piracy forces to states doing anti-piracy work near Somalia. ¶5. (SBU) Indonesia also worked closely with neighboring countries in the fight against piracy in the Malacca Strait and understands the importance of international coordination and information sharing in this effort. The positive impact that the restoration of peace and democratic rule in Aceh had in deterring piracy would also be useful to the effort to eliminate the political causes of piracy. SUGGESTED NEXT STEPS ¶6. (C) The Contact Group on Somali Piracy (CGSP) announced in Ref A provides an excellent vehicle to involve Indonesia in the global fight against piracy. Because Indonesia does not have the ability to conduct independent naval operations in the Somalia region, it is not a candidate for full membership in the CGSP at this time. However, Indonesia could contribute to the CGSP as an observer. ¶7. (C) Mission recommends that as a first step we work to JAKARTA 00002343 002 OF 002 invite an Indonesian official to participate in the January 13-14 inaugural meeting of the CGSP in New York. Indonesian involvement in the CGSP would bring valuable experience and expertise to the anti-piracy fight around Somalia. Doing so would also build on our engagement with the Indonesian military and help encourage Jakarta to play a greater role supporting international peace and security. HUME