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