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