PRESIDENT'S CHIEF OF STAFF READY TO MAKE POTUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001509 DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, S/SRAP; PLEASE PASS TO NSC-JBADER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2019 TAGS: AMGT BEXP EDU ID PREL SENV XD SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S CHIEF OF STAFF READY TO MAKE POTUS VISIT TO INDONESIA A SUCCESS REF: STATE 93894 Classified By: AMBASSADOR CAMERON R. HUME ¶1. (C) Summary: In a September 10 meeting with the Ambassador, Cabinet State Secretary Hatta Rajasa revealed that Indonesia had decided to purchase from Boeing a presidential aircraft, supported Indonesian training for Afghan police, underscored President Yudhoyono,s determination to sign a Science and Technology Agreement during a possible POTUS visit, and agreed to complete a land purchase for a new U.S. Embassy compound. The Ambassador previewed his trip to Washington, outlining the broad array of initiatives that will help create the substance of a Comprehensive Partnership between Indonesia and the United States. End Summary. -------------- SBY visit to the U.S. -------------- ¶2. (SBU) State Secretary Rajasa, the equivalent of a presidential chief of staff in Indonesia,s government, expressed appreciation for U.S. support in arranging President Yudhoyono,s September 24-29 visit to Pittsburgh and Boston. Upon request, the Ambassador had written to ask Senator Kerry if he would introduce President Yudhoyono at an event in Boston. The Ambassador added that the Wall Street Journal would be interested in interviewing Yudhoyono during the visit. -------------- Presidential aircraft purchase -------------- ¶3. (C) Rajasa revealed that Indonesia had already decided to purchase a Boeing 737-800 (rather than Airbus) for its presidential aircraft, but that he was not directly involved in negotiations over the price. Boeing should hold the aircraft for Indonesia, he said, adding that he was favorably inclined toward U.S. Ex-Im bank,s offer of loan terms for the purchase. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani had responsibility for completing the commitment fee process. -------------- Indonesian training for Afghan police -------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador described the Foreign Minister,s positive reaction to a U.S. request Indonesia to consider training Afghan police. Indicating that he knew of the request and supported it, Rajasa said he believed Indonesian training would be acceptable to the Afghan people. The Ambassador noted that he planned to propose that an official from the Special Envoy,s office visit to assess Indonesia,s offer. -------------- Embassy Land -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Rajasa confirmed that President Yudhoyono did not require Parliamentary approval to give his blessing for the U.S. Embassy,s purchase of MMS3, the final remaining piece of land needed so that a new chancery can be built. He added that the Ministry of Finance had approved the purchase, and that no obstacles remain to a presidential letter enabling the sale to go forward. -------------- POTUS visit -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Stating that he would visit Washington to discuss key elements of the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, the Ambassador described the status of the following initiatives: a. Science and Technology agreement: negotiations will commence next week. Rajasa stressed Indonesian commitment to complete the agreement, adding that he had questioned Foreign Minister Wirajuda on the need to include intellectual property rights in the MoU. He said he would prefer that the agreement focus on specific areas of cooperation, adding that President Yudhoyono wanted to sign during the possible POTUS visit. b. Health: The Ambassador described Health Minister Supari,s upcoming trip to the U.S. and progress that we hoped to make in the September 11 steering committee meeting of the Indonesia-U.S. Center for Biomedical Research and Public Health. c. Food Security: noting the U.S. invitation to a food security meeting on the margins of the UNGA (reftel),the Ambassador said he would engage in food security discussions in Washington, highlighting opportunities to work with Indonesia on sustainable fisheries and marine science. d. Forests: describing our successful completion of a debt swap agreement to help preserve Sumatra's forests, the Ambassador suggested that it would be appropriate to consider a follow-on agreement for Papua. e. Education: a USAID request for proposal to strengthen linkages between U.S. and Indonesian universities had received many strong applications, the Ambassador said, adding that we had increased the number of fellowships for Indonesian students to attend U.S. community colleges. f. Peace Corps: agreement had been reached, but the text still needs to be translated into Indonesian. g. OPIC agreement: first round discussions had been very positive. HUME