INDONESIA'S PROMISING NEW FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 001782 NOFORN SIPDIS DEPT FOR D, P, EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, OES, AND SECC NSC FOR J. BADER, D. WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA'S PROMISING NEW FOREIGN MINISTER REF: JAKARTA 1766 Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (U) This message contains Action Requests, please see paragraphs 7 and 8. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY: President Yudhoyono has signaled a continuation of his pragmatic and moderate foreign policy with his choice for Indonesia's new Foreign Minister. Dr. Marty Natalegawa, known for his quick wit and political savvy, is a well-regarded career diplomat. Although FM Natalegawa is knowledgeable about U.S. foreign policy, his recent assignments in London and at the U.N. have not given him a direct role dealing with U.S.-Indonesia relations. High-level U.S. engagement with Indonesia's new top diplomat is therefore critical to securing his support for our key priorities, including the Comprehensive Partnership. Mission recommends that Secretary Clinton meet with Foreign Minister Natalegawa on the margins of the APEC meeting in Singapore to discuss next steps in the Comprehensive Partnership. Mission also recommends sending a formal congratulatory letter to the new Minister, the suggested text of which is in paragraph 8. END SUMMARY. INDONESIA'S NEW FOREIGN MINISTER ¶3. (C/NF) On October 21 President Yudhoyono appointed Marty Natalegawa to replace Hassan Wirajuda as Foreign Minister. This appointment was not a surprise, as Natalegawa has been a rising star in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) and is a key protg of Wirajuda. Wirajuda pressed for Natalegawa to replace him if President Yudhoyono were reelected. Natalegawa previously served as the Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York--one of DEPLU's most prestigious assignments. Before that he was Ambassador to the U.K. He excelled in those positions, demonstrating a public relations savvy and forcefulness combined with a broad understanding of Indonesia's foreign policy that is rare among Indonesian diplomats. ¶4. (C/NF) Although Natalegawa has been critical of U.S. foreign policy, especially in the Middle East, he has been a constructive interlocutor. As DEPLU's spokesman, he criticized U.S. policies on terrorism and the Middle East, especially Iraq. He was also critical of what he perceived to be slights against the sovereignty of Indonesia and other 
developing countries. Despite the rhetoric, Natalegawa has demonstrated a desire to work constructively on a range of issues. In 2008, he worked well with U.S. diplomats in bridging differences of opinion on how to best approach the Burmese junta on democratization. In June 2009, he publicly emphasized Indonesia's desire to take a more active role in resolving international conflicts and issues. ¶5. (C) Natalegawa will likely continue his mentor's pragmatic and moderate foreign policy. Like most Indonesian career diplomats, Natalegawa has been steeped in the vaguely anti-Western world view of the Non-Aligned Movement. He also shares DEPLU's preference for multilateral approaches to international issues. That said, he is more willing than most of his DEPLU peers to question foreign policy orthodoxy. At the U.N. he has been a key advocate for fair treatment of all countries, including Israel. His willingness to engage us on Burma also demonstrates a pragmatism that he shared with his predecessor, but which is rare in DEPLU ranks. KEY BIOGRAPHICAL DATA ¶6. (U) Marty Natalegawa is an astute career diplomat. Prior to his appointment as Foreign Minister, Natalegawa served as Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2007 to 2009. In this position, he was President of the Security Council in November 2007 and Chairman of the U.N. Sanctions Committee on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Prior to his assignment at the United Nations, Natalegawa was Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2005 to 2007. He was head of the Administration Bureau in the DEPLU, which combines the positions of DEPLU Spokesmen and Chief of Staff of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director General for ASEAN cooperation, Director of International Organizations, and Chief of Political Affairs at Indonesia's Permanent Mission to the U.N. Natalegawa joined the JAKARTA 00001782 002 OF 003 Department of Foreign Affairs in 1986. He received his B.S. from the London School of Economics, his M.A. from Corpus Christi College at the University of Cambridge, and his Ph.D. from Australian National University. ACTION REQUEST ¶7. (U) Mission suggests that Secretary Clinton meet FM Natalegawa on the margins of the November 9-16 APEC meetings in Singapore. A meeting would send a positive message to Indonesia that the United States values the deepening relationship between our two countries. Additionally, this meeting would reinforce the positive momentum of the Comprehensive Partnership. Suggested talking points appear below: -- The United States deeply values the progress that we have made to date on the Comprehensive Partnership. Our two sides are moving forward quickly on a variety of issues that would deepen and broaden our relationship. We would like to maintain our close collaboration in developing this partnership. -- We would like to promote more opportunities for high-level engagement between Indonesia and the United States. A delegation of leading Indonesians traveled to the U.S. in October as a component of our Rule of Law Forum. Our EPA Administrator led the Presidential Delegation to President Yudhoyono's inauguration and had a very productive trip learning about our collaborative activities. We would like more of these visits. -- There are a few key agreements we would like to conclude soon. The Peace Corps Agreement is close to completion, with only one or two outstanding issues. We would like to resolve these as soon as possible. The Science and Technology agreement is also a priority for the United States, and we would like to come to agreement on the remaining issues. The pending issues in this agreement are currently being negotiated in the international arena, and we do not want to preempt the international negotiations. -- We are grateful for Indonesia's interest in providing training to Afghan police and judges. Indonesia is a valuable partner in our efforts in Afghanistan and are looking for ways to work with you to promote rule of law in Afghanistan. -- We applaud President Yudhoyono's leadership in announcing bold emissions reduction targets at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh. We want to work with Indonesia to achieve these targets. -- We are committed to working together to reach a strong international agreement that puts the world on a pathway to a clean energy future. TEXT FOR CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE ¶8. (U) Action Request: Mission suggests sending the following congratulatory message to the new Foreign Minister. BEGIN TEXT: Dear Foreign Minister Natalegawa, I wish to offer my personal congratulations and those of the United States government to you on your appointment as Foreign Minister. As a leading member of the G-20, Indonesia plays an important role both regionally and globally, and your successful decade of democracy and reform is a model for countries throughout the world. On the international stage, Indonesia's participation in peacekeeping activities and its leadership on marine conservation and climate change are particularly notable. Working together, I hope we can continue to build on this record of achievement through joint efforts to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan, bring about a democratic transition in Burma, halt the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and combat climate change. JAKARTA 00001782 003 OF 003 As the world,s second and third largest democracies, we are natural partners. The relationship between the United States and Indonesia is based on common interests and common values, including democracy, pluralism, respect for human rights and diversity, and economic development. I look forward to working with you toward building a Comprehensive Partnership that reflects our shared values and aspirations. Sincerely, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton END TEXT. HUME