Engaging Indonesia on Afghan Police

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001697 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/SRAP, EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, SCA, SCA/A E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PINS MASS ID AF SUBJECT: Engaging Indonesia on Afghan Police Training REF: Jakarta 1352 ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; please handle accordingly. Please see Action Request in paragraph 6. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Senior Indonesian officials have responded positively to our proposal that Indonesia help train the Afghan National Police (ANP). In addition to helping bolster the security situation in Afghanistan, doing so will further strengthen U.S.- Indonesia relations, and enhance Indonesia?s global leadership role. This message outlines initial steps to transform Indonesia?s inchoate interest into concrete steps forward. END SUMMARY. INDONESIA WILLING ¶3. (SBU) Indonesian officials have responded positively to our suggestion that Indonesia provide assistance to the Afghan National Police (see reftel). Doing so would strengthen U.S.-Indonesia security ties and enhance the overall bilateral relationship. It would help the GOI build law enforcement and counterterrorism contacts in a critical region. And it would bolster Indonesia?s claim to leadership in Muslim world and among developing countries. WHAT INDONESIA CAN OFFER ¶4. (SBU) Indonesian training can benefit Afghanistan. Bringing ANP officers to Indonesia will familiarize them with the workings of a developing Muslim-majority democracy. It will also acquaint them with Indonesia?s ongoing--and successful-- process of police and military reform. The Indonesian National Police (INP) can offer valuable training in basic policing skills, police-civilian relations, local or intra-communal conflict resolution, and other areas where the INP already has an established record. The exact training proposed would depend on specific ANP needs. ¶5. (SBU) Initially, we recommend that all training would be done in Indonesia, possibly at the Jakarta Center for Law-enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) in Semarang, Central Java. As that training succeeds, and Indonesian police build stronger relationships with their Afghan counterparts, we would encourage the GOI to conduct some training in Afghanistan. A first step in this direction could be to send INP mentors to Afghanistan on a short-term basis to follow up on training conducted in Indonesia. MOVING FORWARD ¶6. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: To move forward, Mission requests Department assistance in three key areas? assessing Afghan needs, identifying funding and making initial contacts: --AFGHAN NEEDS: To further engage the INP on this matter Mission requests that the Department provide information regarding Afghan law enforcement training needs. Key questions include: -What are the key training needs of the ANP? -What level and number of ANP officers are to be trained? -What level of education and professional training do the ANP trainees already possess? -What level of proficiency should be achieved at the conclusion of the training? -How long would the GOA need to select candidates for training? --FUNDING: Any Indonesian support would require USG support. Mission requests that the Department forward information regarding what funding might be JAKARTA 00001697 002 OF 002 available. --INITIAL CONTACT: Mission will work to identify appropriate INP and USG officials who will travel to Afghanistan in the near-term for initial consultations with Afghan counterparts. We request that the Department, in cooperation with Embassy Kabul, work with us to facilitate this vist. END ACTION REQUEST. OSIUS