MUNIR CASE -- SUCIWATI'S LETTER TO THE SECRETARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000371 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, DRL, DRL/AWH NSC FOR EPHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KJUS PHUM ID SUBJECT: MUNIR CASE -- SUCIWATI'S LETTER TO THE SECRETARY ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request -- Please see paragraph 3. ¶2. (U) Attached is the text of the letter which Suciwati, the widow of murdered human rights activist Munir Said Thalib, gave to Secretary Clinton when they met in Jakarta on February 18. During their conversation, the Secretary expressed to Suciwati how she shares Suciwati's pain and understands what she has gone through. Suciwati responded that she is still hoping for justice. (Note: Munir's murderer has been convicted and remains in prison. A Jakarta court recently ruled that a former intelligence official was not guilty of conspiring to commit the murder; the GOI is appealing that decision.) ¶3. (U) ACTION REQUEST -- We request that the Department prepare a response to this letter for the Secretary's signature. Mission will send suggested points for this proposed response to EAP/MTS shortly. ¶4. (U) The text of Suciwati's letter follows: Begin text: Jakarta, February 18 2009 Her Excellency Madame Hillary Clinton, In the spirit of change, Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Suciwati, wife of belated husband Mr. Munir, Indonesian human rights defender. I wish to congratulate you and your country in leading the process of change in a new era of USA, full of hope towards justice and respect to universal human rights norms and standards. I believe change will happened in the near future, and this would be a perfect one with your leadership Madam Hillary Rodham Clinton. You will be an important actor in determining the course of this change for hope. Most of worldwide expectation, including myself and my 2 children Alif Allende and Diva Suukyi, are in your honor, hope, power and capability. I believe that you have heard information and knowledge regarding the political assassination and evil conspiracy against my belated husband Munir Said Thalib. And I am sure that you and your government under the presidency of Mr. Barack Obama will put special attention to the settlement of this case. Justice on the murder of my husband is not only important for me and my children but also significant for the enforcement of rule of law, human rights and democracy in Indonesia. We, the victims of gross human rights violations have not achieved justice, so the settlement of Munir case is the key of achieving justice. Ending the cycle of impunity as part of the protection to human rights defenders in our beloved country. Enforcement of justice and knowing the truth on the assassination of my husband is also very important for the future of Indonesia. This assassination has shaped my consciousness and all Indonesian people, that political transition and hope for change for better future after the fall of Soeharto is under imminent and serious threat. The strongest message about this assassination and the way our government try to settle this case so far, has shown that the anti human rights and democracy forces are still very strong. As a wife and mother of 2 kids, I am still in the middle of a struggle to seek truth and justice that have not been done. Your visit to Indonesia is a part or a larger US American discourse to push the wind of change towards democracy and full respect on human right values. Awakening the hope to face the future for us including me and my children, welcoming your visit to Indonesia with the spirit to achieve democracy, respect to human rights and justice to all victims of gross human rights violations. Allow me to accept your sincere and honorable great concern to the effort to seek justice for my belated husband Munir Said Thalib. Your human touch, capability, power and courage are our great expectation. I sincerely thank you for this. Warm regards from us and from our faith to the truth that always be part of our struggle. JAKARTA 00000371 002 OF 002 Suciwati. End text. HUME