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