TIMOR-LESTE/INDONESIA -- CONTINUED REVERBERATIONS

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