MOVING FORWARD ON INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND BALI

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001771 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, EAP/PD, DRL, DRL/AWH, DRL/IRF, S/P NSC FOR J.BADER, D.WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO ID SUBJECT: MOVING FORWARD ON INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND BALI DEMOCRACY FORUM REF: JAKARTA 01555 Classified By: Classified by DCM Ted Osius, reasons 1.4(b+d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Umar Hadi, Director for Public Diplomacy at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU),confirmed in his recent meeting with CDA that the GOI remained committed to holding an interfaith dialogue with the U.S. Hadi welcomed high level U.S. participation in both the Bali Democracy Forum and the interfaith dialogue in December. Post will meet with DEPLU officials to resolve remaining issues for these events, such as timing and finances. END SUMMARY. INDONESIA REMAINS COMMITTED TO INTERFAITH DIALOGUE ¶2. (C) On October 13, Charge met with Umar Hadi, Director for Public Diplomacy at DEPLU. Hadi said that the GOI remained committed to holding the first interfaith dialogue, which is a key element of the Comprehensive Partnership as well as the first Cairo initiatives-linked dialogue. Hadi welcomed high-level U.S. participation from USG officials underscoring that the interfaith dialogue is a key component of the comprehensive partnership between the GOI and USG. AGREEING ON THE DETAILS ¶3. (C) In response to CDA's inquiry regarding Indonesia's financial commitment for the interfaith dialogue, Hadi stated that DEPLU was continuing to work out the details. Until the financial issues were resolved, the timing of the dialogue, December 9-10, could not be confirmed. Hadi remained supportive of regional participation in the interfaith dialogue. Hadi agreed to Charge's suggestion that the GOI choose half of the regional participants and the USG choose the other half. Hadi welcomed participation of The Asia Foundation in helping select members of the U.S. delegation, but said DEPLU will work out logistical, venue, and agenda details. Charge pointed out that FM Wirayuda had asked Secretary Clinton if the U.S. would participate in the dialogue when the met in Washington and therefore the GOI should handle these arrangements. BALI DEMOCRACY FORUM ¶4. (C) Indonesian President Yudhoyono will chair the second Bali Democracy Forum (BDF),December 10-11 in Bali. Japan will co-host the event and the level of their delegation, prime minister or foreign minister, has not yet been determined. Hadi stated that several countries in East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East had already confirmed their participation (Note: At the first Forum in 2008, many of the ASEAN members sent foreign ministers). According to Hadi, the Chinese foreign minister and representatives from Burma planned to attend. To date, nine countries from Europe and the Americas had signaled that they would send observer delegations. December 10 will be devoted to high-level talks and December 11 will be a series of working-level seminars. U/S BURNS' PARTICIPATION IN BOTH EVENTS ¶5. (C) The Charge told Hadi that U/S Burns had expressed an interest in attending the BDF. The Charge explained that we wanted to send a high level delegation because the USG wanted to both support and engage with the BDF. Having U/S Burns lead the U.S. delegation to the bilateral interfaith dialogue would underscore our message. The Charge questioned whether it would be possible for U/S Burns to also lead the US delegation to the interfaith dialogue just prior to the BDF in December. Hadi welcomed U/S Burns participation in both events and thought that the timing could be arranged in order to accommodate U/S Burns' schedule. FINALIZING THE DETAILS ¶6. (U) Poloffs will meet with staff members in Hadi's office this week to find out the specifics of the BDF, such as timing of events, whether delegation heads will be making remarks, etc. On the interfaith dialogue we will once again stress the importance on an early decision on the timing and funding of this event. HUME