ELITE POLICE BRIGADE PLAYS CRITICAL ROLE IN RECENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001232 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, S/CT, PM, INL, DS/IP/EAP, DS/ITA/EAP NSC FOR J.BADER E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS ASEC ID SUBJECT: ELITE POLICE BRIGADE PLAYS CRITICAL ROLE IN RECENT CRISES REF: A. JAKARTA 1225 ¶B. JAKARTA 1226 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) The Indonesian National Police elite Mobile Brigade is playing a critical role in the aftermath of the July 17 bombings in Jakarta and in the ongoing situation impacting the Freeport mining operation in Papua. Both situations involve the safety and security of American citizens. However, Department policy prohibits almost all USG engagement with the Mobile Brigade because of past involvement in past human rights violations. That policy must change. This message outlines a way forward to resume working with this critical unit. ¶2. (C) The Indonesian National Police (INP) Mobile Brigade has played a leading role in response to the July 17 bombings at the Ritz Cartlon and Marriott hotels that injured several Americans and killed at least seven people, including Australians and a New Zealander (see Ref A). Mobile Brigade personnel responded immediately after the bombings and ensured the security of hotel guests and the crime scene. As the hotels recover from the bombings and plan to reopen shortly, Mobile Brigade is the force guarding the area where these U.S. investments are located. ¶3. (C) Mobile Brigade and Detachment-88 personnel are also the GOI's front line response to a series of shootings at the Papua operations of American mining corporation Freeport-McMoRan. Since July 11, unknown assailants suspected of being Papuan separatists have killed five and injured 13--including both Freeport employees and police personnel. (An Australian is among those killed, see Ref B.) While no Americans have been killed or injured, the attackers remain at large and the attacks continue. Mobile Brigade is securing Freeport's contract of work area--a region the size of Rhode Island--and searching for the attackers. ¶4. (C) For security reasons, the United States must reengage with the Mobile Brigade. Mission believes this can be done without in any way compromising the United States' commitment to human rights--so long as certain conditions are met. Specifically, any Mobile Brigade officer approved for USG-sponsored training must be: -- Free from any credible allegations of involvement in gross human rights violations; and, -- Assigned to a unit commanded by an officer free from credible allegations of involvement in gross human rights violations. This vetting criteria would exclude Mobile Brigade personnel who are culpable for human rights violations and allow us to train those Mobile Brigade personnel whose human rights records are untainted. Doing so will provide a critical boost to Indonesian antiterror capabilities and help ensure the safety and security of Americans in Indonesia. HUME