BURMA -- URGING INDONESIA TO PRESS FOR A DIALOGUE

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001966 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR P, EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS (L.SCHEIBE),EAP/RSP NSC FOR D.WALTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2019 TAGS: PREL KDEM ID BM SUBJECT: BURMA -- URGING INDONESIA TO PRESS FOR A DIALOGUE REF: STATE 121789 Classified By: Acting Pol/C Daniel A. Rochman, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Poloff briefed GOI officials on the need for a dialogue between the Burmese government, the democratic opposition and ethnic minority groups, per reftel instruction. Our interlocutors agreed that such a dialogue was necessary if Burma's 2010 elections were to meet minimum international standards of credibility. Indonesian officials will look for opportunities to press the GOB on this matter. Should the Burmese request it, Indonesia would likely provide election-related assistance. Foreign Minister Natalegawa follows Burma closely and hopes to discuss the issue with U/S Burns when he visits Indonesia December 10-11. We also briefed officials at the ASEAN Secretariat on the matter. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Poloff discussed reftel message regarding the need for dialogue in Burma with Kusuma Pradopo, Deputy Director for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DPELU) on November 30. Poloff reiterated the USG's commitment to engaging the Burmese authorities and briefed Pradopo on A/S Campbell and DAS Marciel's recent trip. He noted that Burma's planned 2010 elections would not be credible if held under current conditions. Prior to that vote, he explained, the Burmese government should begin a genuine dialogue with the democratic opposition and ethnic minority groups. The GOB must also allow Aung San Suu Kyi (ASSK) to meet with member of the National League for Democracy (NLD). Poloff urged Indonesia to press Burmese officials on these matters. ¶3. (C) Indonesia shared U.S. concerns regarding Burma's upcoming vote, Pradopo explained. The GOI agreed that the Burmese authorities should begin a dialogue with opposition and minority groups. Indonesian officials, including President Yudhoyono, had regularly called on the Burmese to release ASSK and other political prisoners, Pradopo noted. Indonesia also agreed that the Burmese authorities should not prohibit ASSK from meeting officials of the NLD. Indonesian officials would look for opportunities to press the GOB on these matters. Burma was of particular concern to Foreign Minister Natalegawa and Pradopo promised to relay our points to him. Pradopo said that FM Natalegawa hoped to have an opportunity to discuss U.S.-Indonesia cooperation on Burma during his planned meeting with U/S Burns next week, although DEPLU has not yet confirmed a meeting. ¶4. (C) Pradopo added that Indonesian leaders hoped that the Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) would help encourage democratic reform in Burma. (Note: The GOI will host the second BDF December 10-11 in Bali. The BDF aims to promote democracy by exposing countries to democratic principles and practices.) Burmese officials plan to attend this year's BDF, as they had done last year. Poloff asked if the BDF, or the BDF's programming arm Institute for Peace and Democracy, might be a mechanism to provide election-related assistance to Burma, such as training for election officials or observers. Pradopo responded that the GOI would consider using the BDF for such assistance. However, he cautioned, the Burmese government would have to request it. ¶5. (C) Poloff also discussed the matter with Termsak Chalermpalanupap, Special Advisor to ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan. Chalermpalanupap took our points on board and said he would brief SecGen Surin. HUME