Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JAKARTA838
2008-04-25 09:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
TIMOR-LESTE/INDONESIA -- CONTINUED REVERBERATIONS
VZCZCXRO7971 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #0838/01 1160958 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 250958Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8831 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI PRIORITY 0953 RUEHLI/AMEMBASSY LISBON PRIORITY 2991 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2401 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0931 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1789 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1879 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 2583 RUEHHK/AMCONSUL HONG KONG 2630 RUEHBAD/AMCONSUL PERTH 0744 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHHJJPI/USPACOM HONOLULU HI
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000838
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR E. PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ID TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE/INDONESIA -- CONTINUED REVERBERATIONS
FROM RAMOS-HORTA REMARKS
REF: A. JAKARTA 795
B. JAKARTA 825
JAKARTA 00000838 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000838
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR E. PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ID TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE/INDONESIA -- CONTINUED REVERBERATIONS
FROM RAMOS-HORTA REMARKS
REF: A. JAKARTA 795
B. JAKARTA 825
JAKARTA 00000838 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: GOTL President Ramos-Horta's remarks
regarding the February violence in Dili and possible
Indonesian links continue to resonate in Jakarta. While
denying that Indonesian nationals were involved, the GOI has
now confirmed the arrest of a fourth suspect for alleged
involvement in the violence. Meanwhile, the joint Commission
on Truth and Friendship (CTF) plans to release its report to
the two governments this weekend in Bali. While relations
remain largely positive and constructive, there is little
doubt that Ramos-Horta's comments have shaken the GOI. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) CONTINUED REVERBERATIONS: Indonesian National Police
Chief Sutanto told the media on April 25 that no Indonesian
citizens were involved in the February violence in Dili,
including in the attempted assassinations of Timor-Leste
President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
Sutanto said the Indonesian investigation--which was sparked
by President Ramos-Horta's recent assertions on the
matter--would continue.
3. (C) ONE MORE ARREST: As reported earlier, Indonesian
police had initially arrested three men for suspected
involvement in the violence. They made an additional arrest
on April 22. The four men are not Indonesian nationals and
have been charged with breaking Indonesian immigration laws.
There may be additional charges. Police Brigadier General
Iskandar Hasan told poloff on April 25 that police believe
three of the four men arrested were involved in the attack on
Ramos-Horta. Police believe the fourth man was only involved
in the plot against PM Gusmao. Hasan said the police are
waiting for an official request from the Timor-Leste
government to repatriate the men for prosecution. Hasan said
the process might not be complete until the end of May.
(Note: Indonesia and Timor-Leste do not have a bilateral
extradition treaty.)
4. (U) Indonesian television station MetroTV also refuted
Ramos-Horta's allegation that the station and journalist Desi
Anwar had helped East Timorese rebel leader Alfredo Reinado
travel to Indonesia for an interview in May 2007. Indonesian
Presidential spokesman, Dino Djalal, also defended the
channel by stating in a media interview that it is free to
interview whomever it wishes.
5. (C) PRESENTATION OF FINAL REPORT: Primo Alui Joelianto,
Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) Director General for
Asia-Pacific and Africa, told poloff on April 24 that Foreign
Minister Wirajuda would travel to Bali where he will receive
the CTF report on behalf of President Yudhoyno. The
presentation will occur sometime in the April 26-27 timeframe
but Joelianto did not specify an exact time. Timor-Leste FM
da Costa will receive the report on behalf of President
Ramos-Horta. Mission expects the CTF to release the report
to the public some time after it has been presented to the
two presidents. The timeline for the public presentation is
not determined.
6. (C) COMMENTS JOLT GOI: While relations remain largely
positive and constructive, there is little doubt that
Ramos-Horta's comments have shaken the GOI. Indonesia values
its international reputation and wants to be seen as having
good relations with its small neighbor. Hopefully, the CTF
process and the culminating submittal of the final report can
help undergird ties further. As reviewed in ref B, the
report is straightforward in attributing serious human rights
offenses to Indonesian forces in the 1999 violence. PM
Gusmao is also due to visit Jakarta April 29-30, providing
JAKARTA 00000838 002.2 OF 002
another opportunity for the two countries to reaffirm ties.
HUME
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS
NSC FOR E. PHU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ID TT
SUBJECT: TIMOR-LESTE/INDONESIA -- CONTINUED REVERBERATIONS
FROM RAMOS-HORTA REMARKS
REF: A. JAKARTA 795
B. JAKARTA 825
JAKARTA 00000838 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Pol/C Joseph Legend Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: GOTL President Ramos-Horta's remarks
regarding the February violence in Dili and possible
Indonesian links continue to resonate in Jakarta. While
denying that Indonesian nationals were involved, the GOI has
now confirmed the arrest of a fourth suspect for alleged
involvement in the violence. Meanwhile, the joint Commission
on Truth and Friendship (CTF) plans to release its report to
the two governments this weekend in Bali. While relations
remain largely positive and constructive, there is little
doubt that Ramos-Horta's comments have shaken the GOI. END
SUMMARY.
2. (U) CONTINUED REVERBERATIONS: Indonesian National Police
Chief Sutanto told the media on April 25 that no Indonesian
citizens were involved in the February violence in Dili,
including in the attempted assassinations of Timor-Leste
President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
Sutanto said the Indonesian investigation--which was sparked
by President Ramos-Horta's recent assertions on the
matter--would continue.
3. (C) ONE MORE ARREST: As reported earlier, Indonesian
police had initially arrested three men for suspected
involvement in the violence. They made an additional arrest
on April 22. The four men are not Indonesian nationals and
have been charged with breaking Indonesian immigration laws.
There may be additional charges. Police Brigadier General
Iskandar Hasan told poloff on April 25 that police believe
three of the four men arrested were involved in the attack on
Ramos-Horta. Police believe the fourth man was only involved
in the plot against PM Gusmao. Hasan said the police are
waiting for an official request from the Timor-Leste
government to repatriate the men for prosecution. Hasan said
the process might not be complete until the end of May.
(Note: Indonesia and Timor-Leste do not have a bilateral
extradition treaty.)
4. (U) Indonesian television station MetroTV also refuted
Ramos-Horta's allegation that the station and journalist Desi
Anwar had helped East Timorese rebel leader Alfredo Reinado
travel to Indonesia for an interview in May 2007. Indonesian
Presidential spokesman, Dino Djalal, also defended the
channel by stating in a media interview that it is free to
interview whomever it wishes.
5. (C) PRESENTATION OF FINAL REPORT: Primo Alui Joelianto,
Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) Director General for
Asia-Pacific and Africa, told poloff on April 24 that Foreign
Minister Wirajuda would travel to Bali where he will receive
the CTF report on behalf of President Yudhoyno. The
presentation will occur sometime in the April 26-27 timeframe
but Joelianto did not specify an exact time. Timor-Leste FM
da Costa will receive the report on behalf of President
Ramos-Horta. Mission expects the CTF to release the report
to the public some time after it has been presented to the
two presidents. The timeline for the public presentation is
not determined.
6. (C) COMMENTS JOLT GOI: While relations remain largely
positive and constructive, there is little doubt that
Ramos-Horta's comments have shaken the GOI. Indonesia values
its international reputation and wants to be seen as having
good relations with its small neighbor. Hopefully, the CTF
process and the culminating submittal of the final report can
help undergird ties further. As reviewed in ref B, the
report is straightforward in attributing serious human rights
offenses to Indonesian forces in the 1999 violence. PM
Gusmao is also due to visit Jakarta April 29-30, providing
JAKARTA 00000838 002.2 OF 002
another opportunity for the two countries to reaffirm ties.
HUME