Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JAKARTA1856
2009-11-09 09:28:00
SECRET
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
CONTAINING DAMAGE FROM THE VISA CASE OF
how-toVZCZCXRO3018 OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #1856 3130928 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 090928Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3771 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/HQ USPACOM PRIORITY
S E C R E T JAKARTA 001856
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR P, EAP, CA, DRL, EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2019
TAGS: PREL CVIS KISL ID
SUBJECT: CONTAINING DAMAGE FROM THE VISA CASE OF
PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER SJAFRIE SJAMSOEDDIN
REF: A. A) JAKARTA 1785
B. B) YUN-HUME EMAIL 11/07/09
Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume for reasons 1.4 (b+d).
S E C R E T JAKARTA 001856
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR P, EAP, CA, DRL, EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2019
TAGS: PREL CVIS KISL ID
SUBJECT: CONTAINING DAMAGE FROM THE VISA CASE OF
PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER SJAFRIE SJAMSOEDDIN
REF: A. A) JAKARTA 1785
B. B) YUN-HUME EMAIL 11/07/09
Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume for reasons 1.4 (b+d).
1. (S) On November 9, Ambassador informed Department of
Foreign Affairs Director General for America and Europe
Ambassador Retno Marsudi that Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin would be
found ineligible for a U.S. visa. The Ambassador said the
Embassy considers the case closed because Sjamsoeddin
withdrew his application after realizing he would not receive
a visa to accompany President Yudhoyono to Pittsburgh for the
G-20 meeting in September. If Sjamsoeddin were to submit a
new application, the Ambassador said he would likely be found
ineligible under a provision that requires Congressional
notification and for which there is no waiver.
2. (S) Retno challenged the decision, stating that
Indonesia,s Board of Inquiry had not reached a conclusion on
the allegations against Sjamsoeddin. After the Ambassador
further explained the decision, Retno replied that it would
be necessary to "calculate the impact" of this rejection and
contain the damage, so that it would not hinder progress in
other areas of the relationship. "Sjamsoeddin is the
President,s man," she stated, emphasizing President
Yudhoyono,s confidence in him and his determination to
appoint him as State Secretary (Chief of Staff). Retno asked
if Foreign Minister Natalegawa should raise the issue with
Secretary Clinton in Singapore later this week, and whether
President Yudhoyono might prevail upon President Obama to
intervene in the case. The Ambassador recommended against
raising the case at the highest levels, adding that he would
request Washington officials to refrain from any public
comment on the case.
HUME
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR P, EAP, CA, DRL, EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2019
TAGS: PREL CVIS KISL ID
SUBJECT: CONTAINING DAMAGE FROM THE VISA CASE OF
PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER SJAFRIE SJAMSOEDDIN
REF: A. A) JAKARTA 1785
B. B) YUN-HUME EMAIL 11/07/09
Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume for reasons 1.4 (b+d).
1. (S) On November 9, Ambassador informed Department of
Foreign Affairs Director General for America and Europe
Ambassador Retno Marsudi that Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin would be
found ineligible for a U.S. visa. The Ambassador said the
Embassy considers the case closed because Sjamsoeddin
withdrew his application after realizing he would not receive
a visa to accompany President Yudhoyono to Pittsburgh for the
G-20 meeting in September. If Sjamsoeddin were to submit a
new application, the Ambassador said he would likely be found
ineligible under a provision that requires Congressional
notification and for which there is no waiver.
2. (S) Retno challenged the decision, stating that
Indonesia,s Board of Inquiry had not reached a conclusion on
the allegations against Sjamsoeddin. After the Ambassador
further explained the decision, Retno replied that it would
be necessary to "calculate the impact" of this rejection and
contain the damage, so that it would not hinder progress in
other areas of the relationship. "Sjamsoeddin is the
President,s man," she stated, emphasizing President
Yudhoyono,s confidence in him and his determination to
appoint him as State Secretary (Chief of Staff). Retno asked
if Foreign Minister Natalegawa should raise the issue with
Secretary Clinton in Singapore later this week, and whether
President Yudhoyono might prevail upon President Obama to
intervene in the case. The Ambassador recommended against
raising the case at the highest levels, adding that he would
request Washington officials to refrain from any public
comment on the case.
HUME