AUNG SAN SUU KYI -- INDONESIA STRONGLY CONDEMNS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001335 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS (L. SCHEIBE),EAP/RSP NSC FOR J.BADER E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/12/2019 TAGS: PREL KDEM ID BM SUBJECT: AUNG SAN SUU KYI -- INDONESIA STRONGLY CONDEMNS CONVICTION REF: A. STATE 83598 ¶B. JAKARTA 1290 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The GOI on August 11 immediately condemned the Burmese government's conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) spokesman stated, in part, that Indonesia is "strongly disappointed with the verdict handed down...the verdict leads to suspicions that the coming elections will (be) far from credible." Mission also reviewed ref a points with the GOI, urging a strong, unified message from ASEAN re Burma's actions. Legislators and civil society have also sharply condemned ASSK's conviction. The straightforward condemnations heard in the past 24 hours indicate that the Burmese regime has further undermined its ties with Indonesia. END SUMMARY. GOI CONDEMNS BURMESE REGIME 2, (U) The GOI on August 11 strongly condemned the Burmese government's conviction and sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi. DEPLU Spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah went in front of the media late August 11 and stated: "The government of Indonesia is strongly disappointed with the verdict handed down to Aung San Suu Kyi. The length of the sentence was apparently aimed at preventing Suu Kyi from taking part in next year's elections. The verdict leads to suspicions that the coming election will not be inclusive and far from credible. The verdict is also bizarre in that the police officer guarding her (ASSK's) house, who should be considered the one most responsible for the incident, didn't undergo legal process." MAKING USG POINTS ¶3. (C) Mission has underscored ref A points with GOI contacts. Pol/C, first, thanked Indonesia for its prompt condemnation of the Burmese regime's latest actions, noting the clear commonalties between the USG and Indonesian response. He emphasized USG support for the Malaysian Foreign Minister's call for an "urgent meeting" of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, noting that it is vital that Burma hear a strong, unified message from ASEAN about the damaging effects of its actions. ¶4. (C) Astari Daenuwy, an international affairs assistant to the President, told Pol/C that the GOI was "carefully considering" the Malaysian proposal. Indonesia was "sorely disappointed" with the Burmese regime's actions and would continue to press the regime for change. That said, the GOI was "discouraged" because "Burma was willfully separating itself from the rest of ASEAN in a way that hurt regional cooperation and weakened the body." Pol/C noted the Secretary's recent remarks in Phuket, stressing that the USG was open to expanding its relations with the regime if the authorities release ASSK. Pol/C noted that it would be positive if other ASEAN countries press the Burmese on these points in hopes of persuading the regime to change direction. LEGISLATORS AND CIVIL SOCIETY SPEAK OUT ¶5. (U) Other Indonesians are also speaking out publicly--and sharply. Theo Sambuaga, the head of the national legislature's Commission I dealing with foreign policy, called the charges "trumped up," adding that the situation was "damaging ASEAN." Marzuki Daruzaman, another well-known Member of Parliament, stated that the regime's actions do "not adhere to human rights from any perspective." Rafendi Djamin, the coordinator for Indonesia's Human Rights Watch Group, asserted that "Burma has violated the ASEAN Charter" and ASEAN should not trust Burma regarding planned elections in 2010. INDONESIA SHIFTS TO ANOTHER GEAR ¶6. (C) While sometimes slow to react on regional and international issues or doing so in terms that are Javanese in their opacity, Indonesia's response to the Burmese regime's latest action was immediate and sharp. The rapidity and tenor of the responses indicates that the regime has further undermined its already distant relationship with Indonesia. Indonesians, simply put, place zero faith that the elections planned for next year will accord with JAKARTA 00001335 002 OF 002 international standards. In addition, Indonesians are united that ASSK is being treated in a totally unjust manner. Given all of this, we expect the GOI to be more active in regional and international circles on ways to increase the costs to Burma of its intransigence. HUME