CLIMATE CHANGE PARTNERSHIP FOR POTUS BILAT AT APEC

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001794 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, EAP/EP, SECC, AND OES/EGC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PREL ID SUBJECT: CLIMATE CHANGE PARTNERSHIP FOR POTUS BILAT AT APEC ¶1. (SBU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Retno Marsudi agreed that the planned bilateral meeting between President Obama and President Yuhoyono at APEC in Singapore presents an opportunity to advance our bilateral relationship. Citing President Yudhoyono's brave unilateral declaration at the Pittsburg G-20 that Indonesia can reduce its emissions by 26% on its own or by 41% with international assistance, the DCM stated that the U.S. wants to support Yudhoyono's constructive move. He suggested that climate take a prominent place on the agenda of the bilateral meeting and discussed possible elements currently under consideration by the USG that could be included in a public announcement of a new U.S.-Indonesia Climate Partnership. The potential items included a second debt-for-nature swap arrangement, a climate center on peat and forests, USAID Jakarta's mitigation and adaptation programs, and EPA's clean air program with the Jakarta Government. ¶2. (SBU) Marsudi welcomed the U.S. intention to partner with Indonesia on climate change. She sees this as an early harvest of the Comprehensive Partnership to be formally launched when President Obama visits Indonesia. She and her staff expressed frustration that Indonesia's peat lands thus far have not been included in the UN's REDD framework. The DCM suggested that both sides consider how the announcement coming out of the two presidents' bilateral meeting could advance the inclusion of peat lands for carbon accounting. Marsudi also expressed interest in green technology transfer and asked for more details on the climate center idea. ¶3. (SBU) Earlier in the conversation during ESTHoff's briefing on U.S. Climate Policy, Marsudi expressed concern that U.S. negotiation credibility and persuasiveness at Copenhagen would be undermined if U.S. climate legislation currently pending in the Senate is not completed in time for Copenhagen. She reiterated President Yudhoyono's position that failure on a global climate solution is not an option and that every nation must take action. U.S. bilateral engagement with Indonesia, she cautioned, cannot become or be seen as a substitute for full U.S. commitment to the multilateral process. In closing, Marsudi noted that her new Minister has prioritized climate change, and she looks forward to meeting again in the coming days to continue planning the bilateral meeting. HUME