IRAQ -- REVIEWING U.S. POLICY WITH INDONESIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000349


DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, NEA, NEA/I
NSC FOR J.BADER/E.PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS ID IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ -- REVIEWING U.S. POLICY WITH INDONESIA

REF: A. STATE 18283

B. 08 JAKARTA 1979 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission has reviewed the President's
commitment to end the U.S. combat mission in Iraq by August
31, 2010, with key Indonesian officials. They welcomed the
USG's initiative and said they hoped it would lead to greater
security for the Iraqi people. Indonesia has not yet decided
to reopen its embassy in Baghdad. Mission provided
interlocutors a copy of the President's February 27 address
on Iraq policy. END SUMMARY.

REVIEWING IRAQ POLICY WITH GOI


2. (C) Mission has reviewed Ref A points with key contacts
in the Indonesian government. On March 2, Pol/C reviewed
points with Tri Sukma (Nanu) Djandam, who works in the
international affairs office of the Presidential Palace.
Poloff also reviewed points with Cicilia Rusdiharini, Deputy
Director for North American Affairs at the Department of
Foreign Affairs (DEPLU). Regional Security Unit chief also
reviewed points with officials at the Department of Defense
(DEPHAN). Mission provided GOI interlocutors with a copy of
the President's February 27 speech on Iraq policy.


3. (SBU) Mission underscored the United States' commitment
to drawing down our combat forces and ensuring that the Iraqi
government can assume full responsibility for the country's
security. The U.S. combat mission in Iraq will end by August
31, 2010. After that time, the remaining U.S. forces in Iraq
will focus on training and equipping Iraqi forces, protecting
U.S. and international organization personnel and facilities,
and conducting targeted counterterrorism operation.


4. (C) This fundamental change in our military mission would
be accompanied by heightened diplomatic engagement with Iraq
and its neighbors. Mission officers noted that the United
States was committed to ensuring stability in the Middle East
and would work with our regional partners on this matter
during and after the reduction of our military forces in
Iraq. We urged Indonesia to express public support for this
effort.


5. (C) Our interlocutors promised to review the new U.S.
policy carefully. They welcomed the President's commitment
and the key items in his February 27 speech. They
underscored Indonesian concern for the plight of Iraqi
civilians and said the GOI hopes that the U.S. moves result
in greater security for the Iraqi people and the region.

URGING INDONESIA TO REOPEN BAGHDAD EMBASSY


6. (C) We also urged Indonesia to reopen its Embassy in
Baghdad. (Note: The GOI has considered reestablishing an
Embassy in Baghdad for the 18 months. However, it has not
moved forward due to security concerns and a dispute over
recovery of Oil for Food Program debt owed to Indonesian
entities. See Ref B.) Mission officers said that an
Indonesian diplomatic presence in Iraq could provide crucial
support to the Iraqi government. It was particularly
important that Indonesia--the world's largest Muslim-majority
democracy--do what it can to assist Iraqis build their own
democracy.


7. (C) Rusdiharini said Indonesia was still considering
reopening its Baghdad Embassy. She promised to relay the
information that we provided to the officials who were
dealing directly with that matter.

ENGAGING MUSLIM GROUPS


8. (SBU) Mission will use the President's speech and
Department guidance on Iraq to reach out to Indonesian Muslim
organizations and other civil society groups, many of which
have criticized U.S. military action in Iraq. We will report
any substantive reactions via septel.

HUME