IRAN -- PRESSING THE GOI TO HELP ON AMCIT CASES

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001526 SIPDIS DEPT FOR P, EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, NEA/IR, CA/OCS NSC FOR J.BADER, D. WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV CASC ID IR SUBJECT: IRAN -- PRESSING THE GOI TO HELP ON AMCIT CASES REF: STATE 94757 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission has urged the GOI to assist with Iran regarding the cases of six American citizens who are missing or detained there. Pol/C emphasized to Presidential Palace and Department of Foreign Affairs contacts that our objective is to ensure the safe return of all the AmCits to the U.S. as soon as possible so that they can be reunited with their families. GOI contacts said they empathized with the U.S., and would mention the matter to Iranian authorities in Jakarta and Tehran. That said, they noted their "limited influence" with Iran. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Per reftel, Mission has urged Indonesia to help regarding the cases of several AmCits who are missing or detained in Iran. Pol/C discussed the points with Astari Daenuwy, an international affairs assistant at the Presidential Palace, and with Cicilia Rusdiharini of the Americas Desk at the Department of Foreign Affairs on September 14. Pol/C stressed that it was vital that Iran's leadership work quickly to resolve all outstanding AmCit cases. Reviewing each case and its details, Pol/C underscored deep U.S. concerns about the situations faced by the six Americans. Pol/C underlined that we hoped for international community assistance that could help lead to the safe return of the six as soon as possible so that they could be reunited with their families. ¶3. (C) GOI contacts said they understood the USG points and empathized with the U.S. They said they would mention the matter to Iranian representatives in Jakarta and would also send a note to the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, so it mentioned it to Iranian authorities there. Daenuwy remarked that the GOI only has "very limited influence" with Tehran and could not guarantee that Indonesian assistance would be that helpful. That said, Indonesia realized that these cases were critical to the U.S. and the families involved, and would try with Iran. OSIUS