HIGH-LEVEL MEETING REINFORCES DEFENSE COOPERATION

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001068 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, PM NSC FOR E. PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CH ID MARR PGOV PREL SUBJECT: HIGH-LEVEL MEETING REINFORCES DEFENSE COOPERATION PRIORITIES REF: A. JAKARTA 1065 ¶B. JAKARTA 891 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a June 22 meeting with Defense Minister Sudarsono, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Robert Scher underscored the positive developments in the military relationship and applauded Indonesia's progress on defense reform. DASD Scher offered U.S. air transportation assistance for Indonesia and urged speedy completion of negotiations for the C-12 Memorandum of Understanding, NAMRU-2 and the Defense Cooperation Agreement. Minister Sudarsono concurred with these priorities and expressed an interest in the U.S. strategic reviews underway, such as the Quadrennial Defense Review. END SUMMARY. IMPROVE COOPERATION ON AIR SAFETY ¶2. (SBU) On June 22, DASD Scher underscored to Minister Sudarsono that assisting Indonesia with its air transportation is a high priority for the USG and Secretary Gates in particular. DASD Scher offered assistance with maintenance programs for Indonesia's existing fleet of C-130s. In addition, he said the United States will work to find C-130 H models available for Indonesia in coming years. Minister Sudarsono said that in 2010, Indonesia would consider focusing its budget for refurbishing C-130s on the newer H type aircraft. Minister Sudarsono agreed that the Indonesian Air Force could benefit from a smaller C-130 fleet with a higher number of flight-ready aircraft. CONCLUDE OUTSTANDING AGREEMENTS ¶3. (SBU) DASD Scher urged the Minister to conclude negotiations of a number of outstanding agreements. On the C-12, Minister Sudarsono expressed the Indonesian military preference to return to the basis for the previous MOU, in which the C-12 supported exclusively military assistance programs. Minister Sudarsono expressed a willingness to be flexible on this point, however, in relation to disaster response. DASD Scher also emphasized the importance of finding a positive resolution to NAMRU-2 questions soon. (Note: In a separate development reported in ref A, on June 23 the GOI accepted a way forward on NAMRU.) ¶4. (SBU) Minister Sudarsono reinforced the Indonesian desire to wait until a Comprehensive Partnership document is signed before completing a Defense Cooperation Agreement. DASD Scher urged the Indonesian government to resolve outstanding questions on the Defense Cooperation Agreement quickly. EMPHASIZE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ¶5. (SBU) DASD Scher commended Indonesia's contributions to peacekeeping, including recently hosting the Garuda Shield Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative (GPOI) Capstone Exercise. He emphasized the importance the United States places on working with key partners to address shared global issues, and noted the value of peacekeeping as one such example. Minister Sudarsono expressed a strong interest in the U.S. strategic reviews underway, such as the Quadrennial Defense Review and others. ¶6. DASD Scher approved this message. HUME