PEACEKEEPING -- INDONESIA LEADS MAJOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001146 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, PM, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, PM/PPA NSC FOR J. BADER E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC MOPS ID SUBJECT: PEACEKEEPING -- INDONESIA LEADS MAJOR MULTI-NATIONAL EXERCISES REF: A. USUN NEW YORK 644 ¶B. JAKARTA 605 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Indonesian military recently hosted a major U.N. peacekeeping capstone event--"Garuda Shield"--involving 19 countries and about 1400 personnel. The U.S. Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative (GPOI) team present at the exercise said Indonesia performed impressively as hosts and took full responsibility for executing the training. Indonesia is also making plans for a permanent Peacekeeping Training Center. Indonesia's leadership in Garuda Shield demonstrates its strong commitment to peacekeeping, which already includes GOI contributions in Lebanon, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. END SUMMARY. HUNDREDS TRAINED IN MAJOR EXERCISE ¶2. (U) A field exercise at the Indonesian Infantry Center in Bandung, West Java, trained 440 personnel from nine countries from June 11-29. The Indonesian military (TNI) deployed 130 personnel as trainers, role players, and command and control. TNI trainers and GPOI facilitators simulated six key situations encountered by peacekeepers: Checkpoint; Convoy Security; Presence Patrol; Cordon and Search; Disband, Disarm and Reintegrate; and, Secure a Distribution point. ¶3. (SBU) A key accomplishment during the exercise was the lead role that the TNI played in the training with the U.S. PACOM GPOI team fulfilling an advisory role. According to members of the U.S. GPOI training team, this exercise was the first time a host nation fully embraced their role as executors of the training. In contrast, host nations of past exercises tended to play a more superficial role, with the training largely driven by the U.S. PACOM GPOI team. This positive assessment echoes the recent comments of U.N. officials, who have been impressed with Indonesia's interest and ongoing performance in operations, and who want to boost GOI contributions in this area even further (ref B). A PERMANENT PEACEKEEPING TRAINING CENTER ¶4. (SBU) Indonesia is also making plans for a permanent Peacekeeping Training Center. Indonesia--heeding USG advice--is considering housing the training center at the Infantry Training Center used for Garuda Shield, a site which would be ideal for multi-national peacekeeping training. The establishment of such a center would be a major contribution to Indonesia's leadership in global peacekeeping. The United States has spent approximately $500,000 on facilities renovations and improvements at the Infantry Training Center. Indonesia's existing Peacekeeping Training Center is currently housed at TNI headquarters in Jakarta. STRONG COMMAND POTENTIAL ¶5. (SBU) The TNI also took command during a Garuda Shield Command Post Exercise designed to replicate a U.N. Force Headquarters. A TNI Commander from the Army Strategic Command (KOSTRAD),served as the Force Commander. TNI strongly desires a Force Commander position; its successful participation in the Command exercise demonstrates its commitment to this priority. The exercise involved 19 countries including Indonesia, the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Cambodia, Thailand, Mongolia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, France, Vietnam, Canada, India and Tonga. ¶6. (U) While the Garuda Shield training program was ongoing, civic affairs teams collaborated on medical treatment and public works in nearby West Java villages. Military medical teams from 12 countries treated approximately 6,000 patients in nine villages in West Java. TNI and U.S. Army Engineers built a public bath house and a baby clinic. INDONESIAN LEADERSHIP ¶7. (C) Indonesia is an important partner in generating capable peacekeepers. Its recent success hosting and training hundreds of troops for Garuda Shield demonstrates JAKARTA 00001146 002.2 OF 002 Indonesia's leadership potential in this area. Over 1600 Indonesians are currently assigned to U.N. missions (including in Lebanon, Darfur and the DRC) according to the most recent official figures. Indonesian leadership in peacekeeping underscores its potential as a partner--not just a recipient of assistance--in global security matters. HUME