MILITARY INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL VET CLEAN --

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000537 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, DRL, DRL/AWH; NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM MARR ID SUBJECT: MILITARY INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL VET CLEAN -- REQUEST FOR DEPARTMENT CLEARANCE REF: A. JAKARTA 400 ¶B. STATE 22873 Classified By: Ambassador Cameron R. Hume, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (U) This message is an Action Request--Please see paragraph 6. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Mission requests Department's clearance for a member of the Indonesian security forces to participate in a course at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS). Mission found no credible evidence of gross violations of human rights by him or his sub-unit (the officer works for military intelligence, which goes by the acronym "BAIS"). On March 22, two members of this sub unit, including its head, were cleared to participate in USG training. Mission requests cable reply by April 10 in order to avoid cancellation of this training. END SUMMARY. MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SUB-UNIT VETS CLEAN ¶3. (C) The Indonesian military (TNI) nominated Major Iroth Sonny Edhie to participate in a APCSS course titled "Comprehensive Security Responses to Terrorism" scheduled to take place April 16 through May 12. The candidate is currently assigned to Directorate B within Indonesia's Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS). Mission has completed vetting procedures in accordance with Department guidelines and determined that there is no credible evidence that the candidate or his BAIS sub-unit have committed gross human rights violations. ¶4. (C) Directorate B handles international affairs. Many Defense Attaches assigned to Indonesian Missions abroad, including the United States, come from this unit. English proficiency is a key component to APCSS courses and BAIS candidates tend to have high proficiency levels in this area compared with other elements of the Indonesian military. On March 22, the Department cleared two other candidates from this same unit, including the unit commander (see ref b). CANDIDATE AND UNIT INFORMATION ¶5. (C) Iroth Sonny Edhie, Major, Mid-ranking Assisting Officer, Directorate B Strategic Intelligence Agency, Jakarta; DOB: 15-July-1971, POB: Magelang, Indonesia; Male. --Unit: Directorate B, Strategic Intelligence Agency, Indonesian Armed Forces, Jakarta. ACTION REQUEST ¶6. (U) Mission requests that Department expeditiously approve the candidate for training and send the clearance cable by April 10 in time for the start of the APCSS course. ¶7. (U) Mission point of contact is Political Officer Saad Bokhari, email: Bokhariss@state.gov, Phone: 62-21-3435-9707. HUME