INDONESIA WANTS MORE TIME TO WORK OUT HEALTH

UNCLAS JAKARTA 002008 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR P, EAP, CA, DRL, EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SOCI ID AF SUBJECT: INDONESIA WANTS MORE TIME TO WORK OUT HEALTH COOPERATION ¶1. (U) Action request in paragraph 6. ¶2. (SBU) On December 7, Ambassador met Director General Ambassador Retno Marsudi to discuss the upcoming visit of Under Secretary William Burns. Marsudi asked for a one-on-one meeting with Burns to discuss health cooperation and Papua. Regarding NAMRU-2, Marsudi described the difficulties posed by former Health Minister Supari,s October letter announcing the closure of NAMRU-2. The Ambassador replied that, if the GoI closes NAMRU prior to establishing the follow-on Indonesia-U.S. Center for Biomedical and Public Health Research (IUC),&we won,t reopen." NAMRU personnel need immediate renewal of their visas, and must maintain their privileges and immunities or they will be forced to depart. Marsudi said that she had briefed new Health Minister Endang, who wanted to delay opening the IUC until after the planned January 15 date. The Ambassador said that, as we had come a long way toward establishing the IUC, it was now time to come to closure on IUL structure as soon as possible. Science and Technology: few issues still to be resolved -------------- ¶3. (SBU) On negotiations over the Science and Technology Agreement, Americas desk director Bunyan stated that three issues remain: 1) Material Transfer Agreement; 2)Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (GRTKF); and 3) intellectual property rights, including benefit-sharing. He stated that the GoI was &ready to discuss8 the outstanding issues with the U.S. The Ambassador pressed, asking when we could meet next, and asserting that the agreement should be concluded prior to the mid-January arrival of Science Envoy Dr. Bruce Alberts. Sjafrie visa application: rejection still rankles -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Director General Marsudi stated that, at a recent meeting with Parliamentarians, the Foreign Minister received numerous questions about the visa case of Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin. The Minister, she related, downplayed the issue, describing that GoI,s decision to withdraw the application after the G-20 meeting had already taken place. Marsudi asked for assurances that Kopassus commander Wibowo would not face a similar rejection, and asked that he be able to make the case for reengagement during Under Secretary Burns, visit. Afghanistan -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador suggested that the GoI be prepared to show its support for Afghanistan by the donors conference at the end of January. Marsudi replied that, after Secretary Clinton spoke with Foreign Minister Natalegawa in Singapore, the Minister made a recommendation to President Yudhoyono, and awaited his reply. Joint Statement on Comprehensive Partnership -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Action request: Marsudi asked whether the U.S. or Indonesian side should initiate the draft of a Joint Statement by the two presidents announcing the Comprehensive Partnership. Post would appreciate Department/NSC guidance in order to respond. HUME