INDONESIA: PROMOTING MUSLIM EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AND

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001193 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, IIP/STC, OES/STC, OES/PCI, ISN/CTR, STAS, AND S/P/GREG BEHRMAN NSC FOR JOSH CARTIN DEPT ALSO PASS TO NOAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPL ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA: PROMOTING MUSLIM EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REF: A) Jakarta 399, B) Jakarta 250 ¶1. (U) Summary. Embassy Jakarta welcomes the President's proposals for broadening science and technology engagement with Muslim-majority countries. The key to success in Indonesia will be promoting personal scientist-to-scientist interactions. Post requests Washington's assistance in: 1) maintaining momentum on the U.S.-Indonesia Science and Technology Agreement; 2) meeting with members of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences in October; and 3) promoting scientific programs in Indonesia that facilitate interpersonal interactions between American and Indonesian counterparts. -------------- Battle for Indonesia's Scientific Soul -------------- ¶2. (SBU) President Obama's June 4 speech in Cairo outlined an expansive and forward-leaning approach to engaging Muslims. His remark that development and tradition need not be contradictory has resonated with many in the Indonesian scientific community. A debate is currently ongoing in the country between those who espouse shutting the doors to international scientific cooperation and those who promote such cooperation as essential to independent, high quality scientific research. At times, scientific inquiry in Indonesia has been held hostage by narrow political considerations fueled by nationalism. Robust implementation of President Obama's engagement strategy will ensure that the doors remain open to collaboration. ¶3. (U) Such collaboration between the United States and Indonesia is clearly in our strategic interest. U.S. scientific research organizations have begun to seek or expand partnerships in the country. They recognize that Indonesia is one of the world's great natural laboratories, providing unsurpassed opportunities to explore marine and terrestrial biology, examine the development and spread of infectious diseases, and track the natural forces that change our landscape and affect climate. Additionally, gaining access to U.S. science and technology cooperation can be an important incentive for providing U.S. companies access to the world's fourth most populous market. ¶4. (U) The process of collaboration is as important as the content of collaboration. Face-to-face interactions between U.S. and Indonesian scientific counterparts are essential for building relationships, strengthening trust, and breaking through political impediments. Post notes that recent successes on scientific engagement have required multiple in-person meetings to thoroughly discuss details. Stationing scientists for longer-term stints in-country will facilitate such discourse. ¶5. (U) Science and technology cooperation will be a key pillar in our Comprehensive Partnership with Indonesia. The concrete initiatives on science and technology addressed in President Obama's Cairo speech will bolster our efforts in supporting those in the Indonesian scientific community who share our belief in the importance of collaboration and high-quality science. -------------- Cairo Initiatives -------------- ¶6. (U) Post offers the following responses to the science and technology proposals in President Obama's Cairo speech: --Fund for Technological Development: The Indonesian science and technology community will greatly appreciate additional funding for technological development in Muslim-majority countries. The process for applying and using these funds should be clear and simple. Post suggests an outreach program to educate and train potential Indonesian partners on the process for accessing and using these funds, once the program specifics have been finalized. --Centers of Science Excellence: Indonesia has dozens of research institutions and universities conducting high-caliber scientific research and working to bring the fruits of this research to market. All would be appropriate Centers of Science Excellence in their respective fields and interest is high in partnering with U.S. institutions. Post has sent our candidates to EAP for consideration. --Science Envoys: Embassy Jakarta has seen the strategic value and tangible results of hosting scientists and will fully support envoys under this program. NOAA scientists, brought to Jakarta through the Embassy Science Fellow Program, were instrumental in completing and implementing the 2007 agreement with Indonesia on cooperation in tsunami detection equipment. Post is also working with the Science Initiatives Group to examine the feasibility of initiating a pilot project under the Global Science Corps, which would recruit U.S. scientists for year-long placements at research institutes in Indonesia. --Health Initiatives: While there has been no polio in Indonesia since 2006, Embassy Jakarta continues to support global polio eradication efforts through surveillance and prevention. Post will continue this essential work until the region is certified as polio-free. Post continues to partner with the Government of Indonesia and local communities to address maternal and child health issues, particularly among the poor and underserved. With maternal and child health receiving additional attention, Post will expand efforts and partner with a wider range of stakeholders in addressing high maternal and neonatal mortality rates. -------------- Realizing President Obama's Vision -------------- ¶7. (U) Post is working on several issues and projects that will complement President Obama's initiatives. Taken together, these will form a comprehensive science and technology engagement strategy with Indonesia. ¶8. (U) The U.S. Indonesia Science and Technology Agreement, currently under negotiation, will be the cornerstone of sustained, effective partnership. This agreement will set the framework for future collaboration. This agreement is not a final destination, but rather a critical first step to linking U.S. and Indonesian counterparts. [Progress on the S&T Agreement negotiations will be reported Septel.] The current Minister for Research and Technology is eager to conclude the S&T Agreement. GOI interlocutors have emphasized the importance of signing the agreement before the new cabinet ministers are announced in early October. In order to meet this deadline, Mission should aim to conclude negotiations on the agreement before the end of August, in advance of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Post appreciates Washington's continued focus on timely completion of these negotiations. ¶9. (U) In anticipation of the success of the S&T Agreement negotiations, Post is proposing a voluntary visitor program for three leaders in the Indonesian Academy of Sciences to visit Washington, DC, the week of October 5-9, 2009. During the visit, the delegation will identify opportunities for long-term scientific and technical cooperation with U.S. counterparts. Post requests that the group meet with representatives from U.S. government agencies and the White House as well as the National Academies of Science, the National Science Foundation, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Post appreciates Washington's assistance in ensuring a successful visit. ¶10. (U) Post is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to expand activities and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop programs for Indonesia. Post would like to host scientists from both these agencies to work on the ground to identify key areas for further collaboration. [See Reftel A] Such activities would directly support President Obama's outreach agenda to Muslim-majority nations. ¶11. (U) Post will link activities under existing programs, including the Embassy Science Fellow Program and the Science and Technology Muslim World Outreach Program, to President Obama's new initiatives, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and raising the public profile of all activities. ¶12. (U) Finally, Post will continue to solicit ideas on science and technology engagement with partners in the Indonesian government and important Muslim organizations including former President Habibie's International Islamic Forum for Science, Technology, and Human Resources Development (IFTIHAR). [See Reftel B] Post will report back on these discussions. HUME