Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Supports NAMRU

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001994 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, OES/STC, S/ECC, OES/EGC, AND R/ECA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PREL ID SUBJECT: Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Supports NAMRU Successor and U.S. Climate Policy ¶1. (SBU) Summary: New Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Agung Laksono told Ambassador Hume December 3 that he supports the finalization of details to form a joint biomedical research center to replace the Naval Medical Research Unit-2 (NAMRU2) before the end of March. Laksono also confirmed that Indonesia agrees with the U.S. view that all nations must take action on climate change. He called for U.S. partnership to support Indonesia's domestic climate efforts, including on forestry and peat lands. Laksono urged U.S. companies to use their corporate social responsibility funds to advance Indonesia's climate and Millennium Development Goals. Ambassador Hume highlighted USG efforts on education and pressed for conclusion of the S&T Agreement. Laksono said he would personally focus on culture and welcomed learning more about intentions for the TV hit "Survivor" to film in Indonesia. End Summary. Laksono: NAMRU2 Conversion to IUC - let's enhance it -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Hume stressed the need to conclude an agreement to establish the Indonesia-U.S. Center for Biomedical and Public Health Research (IUC) as a way of solving sensitive NAMRU-2 issues. He explained that, while the U.S. had not pressed for formal negotiations in the weeks after the installation of the new Minister of Health, it was now time to find a solution. Ambassador Hume said both sides must reach agreement on a new memorandum of understanding by March 2010 in advance of President Obama's expected visit. Laksono agreed, stating that NAMRU-2's work was good, but that we now have an opportunity to enhance it. On the same page on Climate Change -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Laksono, who also serves as Vice Chair of the National Climate Change Council (President Yudhoyono is the Chair),said that Indonesia agrees with the U.S. that all countries must make commitments on emissions reductions. Ambassador Hume highlighted POTUS' recent meeting with President Yudhoyono at APEC when they discussed advancing multilateral negotiations and bilateral partnerships, especially on peat lands and forestry. Laksono welcomed this cooperation and noted that Indonesia is planning many bilateral meetings in Copenhagen. Please encourage U.S. companies on CSR -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Laksono expressed hope that U.S. companies would participate in Indonesia's social welfare efforts through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, especially in climate change and on the Millennium Development Goals. Currently 14 percent of Indonesians fall below the poverty line, a number the government wants to halve by 2015. Laksono said Indonesia can't do it alone. Ambassador Hume expressed confidence that U.S. companies would answer the call, noting specific activities by Chevron in Aceh, Conoco in Solo and Klaten, and British Petroleum (half American) in Papua. He also briefed on the ongoing effort to rally U.S. information technology companies to equip Indonesian schools with U.S. technology. Education and S&T Agreement -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador described USAID's $40 million per year programs to support education, including developing university links between the two countries. He also detailed USG partnerships through the American-Indonesia Education Foundation (AMINEF) to increase the number of Indonesia students studying in the U.S. and vice versa. He noted the July visit to Indonesia of education leaders of 30 U.S. institutions, and the 430,000 hits on AMINEF's website as evidence of increased action and public interest on education opportunities. Turning to science and technology agreement negotiations, Ambassador Hume urged Minister Laksono to encourage the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conclude the text with us. Culture - "Eat, Drink, Pray" and "Survivor" -------------- ¶6. (SBU) In contrast to film "A Year of Living Dangerously" of several years ago, Ambassador Hume noted the opportunity to shift worldwide perception of Indonesia that the upcoming major film and TV productions can bring. Specifically, he discussed the recent successful filming in Bali of "Eat, Drink, Pray" starring Julia JAKARTA 00001994 002 OF 002 Roberts, and the intention of TV producers to film the next "Survivor" series in Komodo, Indonesia. Laksono said that he personally would work on cultural issues in Indonesia and welcomed visiting Survivor producers to brief his ministry on their future plans. Hume