PEACEKEEPING -- A HIGH-LEVEL PRIORITY FOR THE GOI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001747 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, PM, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, PM/PPA NSC FOR D.WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC MOPS ASEC ID CG LE SU SUBJECT: PEACEKEEPING -- A HIGH-LEVEL PRIORITY FOR THE GOI REF: JAKARTA 1697 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The recent deployment of Indonesian military peacekeepers to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as continuing deployments to Lebanon and Sudan, demonstrate the high priority the GOI places on UN peacekeeping participation. The GOI's commitment to peacekeeping missions and to training international peacekeepers reflects Indonesia's emphasis on military reform and its desire to establish itself as a contributing international power. The GOI has also expressed a willingness to train Afghan National Police END SUMMARY. ENGINEERING DIVISION DEPLOYED TO CONGO ¶2. (U) The Indonesian military (TNI) sent 175 engineering division soldiers to the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 15 to participate in the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUC). TNI Garuda Contingent XX-G will replace engineering task force Garuda Contingent XX-F, which is completing its one-year assignment. The new task force will assist by helping to establish infrastructure facilities, such as building bridges and water treatment plants. The troops received training in construction, drainage, landmine detection, and munitions. The contingent represents Indonesia's seventh MONUC deployment since 2003. ONGOING SUPPORT OF MISSIONS IN LEBANON AND SUDAN ¶3. (U) Indonesia's role in international peacekeeping operations has grown steadily in recent years. Since 2006, Indonesia has contributed extensively to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with the deployment of three successive peacekeeping battalions, a ship, and several auxiliary units. In August 2009, Indonesian Brigadier General Zahari Siregar was named UNIFIL's strategic military cell director. In 2008, the first contingent of police officers from the Indonesian Formed Police Unit (FPU) was deployed to support the UN African Mission in Darfur, Sudan (UNAMID). A second FPU stabilization unit is scheduled to replace the first unit this month. The contingent will continue to provide security for displaced civilian camps and to facilitate humanitarian assistance. GOI PEACEKEEPING ENGAGEMENT IMPORTANT DOMESTICALLY ¶4. (C) For the GOI, participation in peacekeeping missions reflects efforts to promote professionalism in its security forces, an important domestic issue. President Yudhoyono featured Indonesia's history of UN peacekeeping participation in campaign advertisements ahead of the 2009 national legislative and presidential elections, for example. ¶5. (SBU) At the TNI's October 5 anniversary celebration, President Yudhoyono lauded the TNI's participation in UN peacekeeping missions. The President noted in his remarks that although "soft power" and diplomacy were GOI priorities, Indonesia would always be ready to contribute troops to support PKOs. (Note: Yudhoyono's eldest son and Harvard student, Captain Agus Harimurti, served in Indonesia's first UNIFIL contingent from November 2006-2007.) GOI EXPANDS ROLE ¶6. (C) The current deployment follows UN peacekeeping training of over 1400 troops from 19 countries in Indonesia during Operation Garuda Shield in June (reftel). The GOI has also announced plans to expand PKO training opportunities for Indonesian and third-country peacekeepers at the Indonesian Infantry Center in Bandung, West Java. (Note: A related GPOI program funding proposal to provide U.S. assistance for the expansion is under review.) Indonesia's continued stress on peacekeeping duties indicates the GOI's desire to play an expanded role in post-conflict situations. This is part of a larger strategy of taking on greater overseas burdens as a means of cementing Indonesia's position as a regional and international power. Recently, the GOI has also indicated a willingness to help train Afghan National Police. JAKARTA 00001747 002 OF 002 HUME