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.

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SBY visit to the U.S.
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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.

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Presidential aircraft purchase
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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.

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Indonesian training for Afghan police
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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.

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Embassy Land
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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.

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POTUS visit
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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