MARITIME SECURITY -- SECTION 1206 FUNDED PROJECTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000403 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2019 TAGS: PREL MASS PTER EWWT ID SUBJECT: MARITIME SECURITY -- SECTION 1206 FUNDED PROJECTS KEY TO CRITICAL AREA REF: JAKARTA 261 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: DCM John A. Heffern, reasons 1.4 (b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: USG-funded maritime security projects meet important needs in the tri-border region of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore--a critical area of counterterrorism, anti-piracy and other military and law enforcement operations. Indonesian officials have hailed radar systems supported under Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act as essential support for GOI efforts in the region. As the Department considers additional Section 1206-funded projects, Mission wants to underscore the importance of such funding for meeting critical threats in Indonesia and beyond. END SUMMARY. A CRITICAL REGION ¶2. (C) The tri-border Sulu/Sulawesi sea region is a critical area for counterterrorism. Indonesian authorities are increasingly conscious of the need to monitor transit routes and are developing the capability to interdict, largely through USG-provided training and equipment. An interagency MOU promoting training and information sharing for joint maritime interdiction--a largely GOI initiative--was signed in late November. An INL-funded DOJ/ICITAP Command Information Center for the Indonesian Marine Police centralizing data collection will open soon. The multiple uses of these capabilities against illegal fishing, logging, narcotics smuggling and human trafficking provide additional incentives to move forward. MEETING THE NEED ¶3. (C) Projects supported by Section 1206 of the National Defense Authorization Act, particularly the installation of radar systems, are central to efforts in this region. Radar installation in the Sulawesi Sea region is a continuing process. As reported in reftel, prospective sites for each of the eight land-based radars in the Sulawesi Sea area have been tentatively identified. Construction is under way at three sites and site surveys are being done at the other five. Where possible, sites are being co-located with Indonesian Navy facilities for cost and maintenance efficiencies. ¶4. (C) Four of the sites are located in northeast Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo),three in northern Sulawesi and one on Tahuna Island, which is part of a chain located between Sulawesi Island and Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Eight Indonesian vessels are programmed to be outfitted with on-board radar. In addition, Mission plans to outfit existing air platforms currently in Indonesia's possession or in the process of acquisition. Finally, some small boats may be deployed as well. The Sulawesi system, centered at the Indonesia Navy's Eastern Fleet Headquarters in Surabaya, should become operational this year. ¶5. (C) At a recent ASEAN Regional Forum maritime security conference here, officers of Indonesia's Eastern Fleet Command hailed the Section 1206-funded projects. They noted that the radar systems provide critical support to Indonesia's anti-piracy and counterterrorism efforts. The projects have also allowed Indonesia to cooperate more effectively with its neighbors. THE WAY TO GO ¶6. (C) Section 1206 has been an effective mechanism to meet these needs. 1206 funding has the flexibility to meet emerging requirements and to get projects in the tri-border region up and running quickly. However, we still have a way to go, particularly getting the radars in the Sulawesi Sea fully operational. Disruption in funding for the projects at this time would put the brakes on a successful ongoing effort. Finally, Section 1206 allows for a regional approach, like the tri-border initiative. HUME