EAST TIMOR -- INDONESIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS; BORDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000284 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANZ, EAP/RSP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS ID TT SUBJECT: EAST TIMOR -- INDONESIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS; BORDER QUIET REF: A. DILI 040 ¶B. JAKARTA 281 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General Surabaya. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: President Yudhoyono has condemned the February 11 attacks on President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Gusmao. In response to the situation, the Indonesian military (TNI) has tightened security on the two countries' border, where the situation remains calm. Foreign Minister Wirajuda expressed hope that the death of rebel leader Major Reinado would speed the national reconciliation process. The Indonesian media has given the situation front-page coverage. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (C) INDONESIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS: Indonesia is reacting publicly to the situation in Timor-Leste. Speaking to reporters late February 11, President Yudhoyono condemned the attacks on Timor-Leste leaders Jose Ramos-Horta and Xanana Gusmao earlier that day. He expressed hope that President Ramos-Horta would recover quickly from his injuries. Yudhoyono also pledged that Indonesia would not interfere in Timor-Leste's internal affairs. (Note: Mission had briefed the Office of the President--at its request--on the East Timor situation, providing it with information on the fast-breaking events based on Embassy Dili's constant, detailed updates.) ¶4. (U) In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) issued a brief formal statement which condemned the attacks and expressed hope that the situation in Timor-Leste would return to normality. In remarks to the media, Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said he hoped that the death of rebel leader Major Reinado would weaken anti-GOTL rebels and accelerate national reconciliation. ¶5. (U) Theo Sambuaga, the influential chairman of the Indonesian legislature's (DPR) Commission I responsible for Foreign Affairs and Defense, expressed support for international police forces deployed to Timor-Leste. He called on the international community to maintain support for Timor-Leste. ¶6. (C) BORDER PATROLS TIGHTENED: In reaction to the events, President Yudhoyono instructed the TNI to tighten security along the Timor-Leste border as a precautionary measure. TNI Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (ASOPS) MG Zamroni (one name only) told the DATT that Indonesia was sending no additional troops (beyond those already there) but had increased the frequency of patrols on the Indonesian (West Timor Province) side of the border. The Indonesian authorities had also increased the scrutiny of incoming visitors at border checkpoints in an effort to catch any rebels who might seek to cross, but the border points remained open. There were no reports of any refugees attempting to flee into West Timor. ¶7. (U) MEDIA COVERAGE The Indonesian media has given the situation front-page coverage. There has also been some commentary. A February 12 editorial in leading daily newspaper Kompas expressed concern about the fragility of Timor-Leste's government, and opined that the country would have been seriously destabilized had Ramos-Horta and Gusmao been killed in the attacks. Kompas asserted that Timor-Leste faced a gloomy future. An editorial in the English-language Jakarta Post urged the Timor-Leste government to take swift action to bring Reinado's followers to justice. It also called on the international community, including Indonesia, to support the GOTL with humanitarian aid and economic assistance. HEFFERN