Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
09JAKARTA1060 | 2009-06-23 09:17:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Jakarta |
VZCZCXRO6538 OO RUEHDT RUEHPB DE RUEHJA #1060 1740917 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 230917Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2652 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC |
C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001060 |
1. (C) SUMMARY: Indonesian activists marked Aung San Suu Kyi's June 19 birthday by demanding her immediate release from detention and calling on ASEAN states to take a tougher line toward the Burmese regime. At a Mission-organized event, a leading MP--while noting that Indonesia's record is relatively constructive--told us that he was pressing the GOI on the need for ramped up pressure on the regime. Civil society groups continue to lobby: a coalition of Burma-focused groups organized a demonstration outside of the ASEAN Secretariat on June 19 to call for ASSK's release and for democratic reform in Burma. END SUMMARY. ENGAGING INDONESIANS ON ASSK'S BIRTHDAY 2. (C) To mark Aung San Suu Kyi's (ASSK) 64th birthday, Mission sponsored an event for key Indonesian activists interested in Burma issues on June 19. Dep/Pol/C underscored to all participants the USG's concern regarding ASSK's continued detention and called for her immediate release. We noted that Indonesia, as leading democracy in ASEAN, had a special role to play on this matter. KEY MP SPEAKS OUT 3. (C) Djoko Susilo, a senior MP and key member of Parliament's Myanmar Caucus, told us he would continue to press for ASSK's release. While noting that the GOI's record was relatively positive, he had urged Foreign Minister Wirajuda and other senior GOI officials to continue to pressure the Burmese regime. He observed that many of the newly elected members of Parliament were probably not familiar with Burma and he underscored the need to educate them. (Note: Indonesia held national legislative elections in April; the new Parliament will be seated in October.) 4. (C) Susilo also praised the USG's role in helping raise the profile of Burma in Indonesia. He thanked the USG for its financial support of a series of programs he organized at universities in the past year meant to stimulate further attention re Burma (see reftels). Susilo also noted that he needed additional support from the USG and other members of the international community to sponsor more programs. He noted that Indonesian civil society groups were critical to pressing this issue, and programming was important as an outreach and organizational tool. CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS ORGANIZE AT ASEAN SECRETARIAT 5. (C) Human rights NGOs and other civil society organizations remain engaged on the issue. Usman Hamid, a leader of the human rights NGO Kontras, told poloff that ASEAN had a key role. Indonesian activists had urged the GOI to press for inclusion of language on human rights and democracy in the ASEAN Charter. Now that they had succeeded in that effort these same activists were working to ensure that the ASEAN Human Rights Body had real monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. If ASEAN failed to take a stand on Burma, the Charter would have little credibility, 6. (U) In the meantime, a coalition of Burma-focused groups also organized a demonstration at the ASEAN Secretariat on June 19 to call for ASSK's release and for democratic reforms in Burma. Several dozen activists turned out. HUME |