INDONESIAN RESPONSE T0 USG IMO CANDIDACY -- QUID

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001687 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, IO/T (T.JOHNSON) NSC FOR D.WALTON EMBASSY LONDON FOR J.WHITTLESEY USCG FOR CG-52 AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2019 TAGS: PREL PHSA ECON IMO ID SUBJECT: INDONESIAN RESPONSE T0 USG IMO CANDIDACY -- QUID PRO QUO? REF: A. JAKARTA 1615 ¶B. STATE 98012 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Indonesia has responded formally to Ref B demarche seeking support for the United States' candidacy to the International Maritime Organization (IMO),promising to consider the matter carefully. Informally, a Department of Foreign Affairs official told poloff that Indonesia was also seeking IMO membership and suggested a possible reciprocal support agreement. We promised to consider Indonesia's candidacy, but exQined that the United States as a matter of policy did not/not enter into reciprocal support agreements. END SUMMARY. INDONESIA TO CONSIDER U.S. CANDIDACY ¶2. (U) The Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) has responded formally to our diplomatic note requesting support for the United States' candidacy for reelection as a Category A member of the IMO (see Ref A). The Indonesian note, the text of which is included in paragraph four below, promises to give careful consideration to our candidacy. GOI ALSO LOOKING FOR SUPPORT ¶3. (C) Indonesia, informally, is angling for a quid pro quo. Cicilia Rusdiharini, Deputy Director for North American Affairs at DEPLU, told poloff on October 5 that Indonesia was also seeking reelection as a Category C member of the IMO. She noted that "usually there is reciprocity in supporting other countries' candidacy." Per Ref B instructions, poloff explained that the United States did not/not enter into reciprocal support agreements for elections such as this. He assured Rusdiharini that the USG would give very careful consideration to Indonesia's IMO candidacy. He suggested that DEPLU may wish to forward any information that makes the case for Indonesia's candidacy. DIPNOTE RESPONSE ¶4. (U) Begin text of Indonesian diplomatic note: The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to acknowledge receipt of the Embassy's note No. 01521 dated 25 September 2009 regarding the candidature of the United States of America for re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for Category "A," at elections to be held during the 26th Session of the IMO Assembly in London on 23 November-4 December 2009. The Department has further the honour to inform the Embassy that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia will give the most serious consideration towards the above-mentioned candidature. The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia avails itself of this opportunity to renew the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Jakarta September 2009 End Text. OSIUS