BURMA -- INDONESIA SUPPORTS TRIPARTITE CORE GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000528 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS (L.SCHEIBE),EAP/RSP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2019 TAGS: PREL EAID ASEAN ID BM SUBJECT: BURMA -- INDONESIA SUPPORTS TRIPARTITE CORE GROUP REF: A. STATE 27325 ¶B. JAKARTA 0488 Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission has underscored the importance of the unfettered operation of the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) that was formed to coordinate relief operations after Cyclone Nargis struck Burma. GOI officials told us they supported the TCG's operations and continued to raise the matter with their Burmese counterparts. ASEAN Secretariat officials also voiced support for the TCG and shared our concern about possible restrictions on its operations. END SUMMARY. REVIEWING POINTS ¶2. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche regarding the Tripartite Core Group (TCG) to Rossy Verona, Myanmar Desk Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU),on March 24. (Note: The TCG consists of the government of Burma, the United Nations and ASEAN. It was formed in May 2008, following Cyclone Nargis.) Poloff noted that the TCG is critical for facilitating and monitoring post-cyclone relief and recovery assistance. It was a rare example of the GOB's cooperation with the international community on a matter that directly benefited the Burmese people. We are concerned that elements of the Burmese regime are working to constrain the TCG's operations and restrict its mandate. GOI SUPPORTS TCG ¶3. (C) Verona responded that Indonesia strongly supported the unfettered operation of the TCG. GOI officials had repeatedly underscored the importance of the TCG in bilateral discussions with the Burmese and within the ASEAN context. Both President Yudhoyono and FM Wirajuda were encouraging Burma to cooperate with the international community on disaster relief and recovery matters. Toward that end, the GOI was preparing to host a visit of Burmese officials to Aceh in May (ref B). The visit would allow the Burmese to study Indonesia's experience with recovery efforts following the December 2004 tsunami. Given these efforts, Indonesia was committed to pressing Burma re unhindered operation of the TCG. ASEAN SECRETARIAT ON BOARD ¶4. (C) Poloff also raised the matter with Bala Palaniappan, an official at the ASEAN Secretariat. Poloff underscored that ASEAN had a key role to play in facilitating the TCG's operations and urged the Secretariat to push back against any restrictions. ¶5. (C) Palaniappan agreed that the TCG was a critical body and said that ASEAN officials would be concerned about any attempt to curtail its operations. He noted that several Secretariat officials who dealt with this issue were currently in Burma and the Secretariat looked forward to their report on the TCG's operations. He said Secretariat officials were following the matter closely. They would encourage the GOB to allow the TCG to operate without restrictions. HUME