AMBASSADOR URGES SWIFT COMPLETION OF DEFENSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 002344 SIPDIS DEPT FOR D, P, EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/RSP, EAP/MLS, PM, PM/PPA, L, L/T, L/DL, L/PM SECDEF FOR USDP/ISA/APSP D.WALTON AND OGC JOINT STAFF FOR R.CARTER NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018 TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV ID SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR URGES SWIFT COMPLETION OF DEFENSE COOPERATION MOU REF: JAKARTA 2210 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: DCM John A. Heffern, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Hume met December 30 with a key GOI defense official and urged Indonesia to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defense cooperation with the United States as quickly as possible. Indonesian officials hope to complete their review of the U.S.-proposed text soon and are keen to sign the MOU. END SUMMARY. URGING SWIFT PROGRESS ¶2. (C) Ambassador Hume discussed the proposed U.S.-Indonesia defense cooperation MOU with Major General Syarifudin Tippe, Director General for Defense Strategy at the Department of Defense (DEPHAN),on December 30. (Note: On December 5, Mission had provided DEPHAN with the U.S. response to the Indonesian-drafted MOU text--see reftel.) The Ambassador underscored that the U.S.'s suggested changes to the MOU retained the spirit of the original DEPHAN draft and reflected both countries' preference for a nonbinding agreement. He noted that the MOU formalized our already ongoing defense cooperation activities and urged that we sign it as soon as possible. GOI EAGER TO SIGN ¶3. (C) Tippe, who met Defense Minister Sudarsono on the matter earlier that same day, said DEPHAN's legal department was still reviewing the text and hoped to complete it soon. He noted that Minister Sudarsono was particularly pleased that the USG had accepted the GOI's proposed title for the document: "Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the United States of America on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense." He did not have any other substantive reactions to the U.S. text, but said that Indonesia was eager to sign the MOU. LEGISLATURE'S ROLE CLARIFIED ¶4. (C) Tippe explained that GOI officials believe that DEPHAN has the authority to sign the MOU but would have to report doing so to the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR). While the DPR had the right to review all GOI agreements regarding defense, this review did not have to be completed before DEPHAN signed the MOU. The Ambassador agreed that this would allow us to move forward quickly. HUME