U.S. NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT (NAMRU) -- SENIOR

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000646 DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR TBIO AMED ID SUBJECT: U.S. NAVAL MEDICAL RESEARCH UNIT (NAMRU) -- SENIOR PARLIAMENTARIAN VOICES SUPPORT REF: 08 JAKARTA 924 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: A ranking member of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR) has written to President Yudhoyono urging that the U.S. Naval Medical Unit (NAMRU-2) return to full operation and that negotiations resume on a new memorandum of understanding. A translation of the letter appears below. The letter was also released to the press, receiving local coverage. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) The NAMRU-2 facility has received some much-needed public support. H. Soltardjo Soerjogoeritno, who is a Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian legislature (DPR) and a senior member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P),wrote to President Yudhoyono on the matter on February 19. ¶3. (U) The letter requested that the GOI resume negotiations with the United States on a memorandum of understanding (MOU),that normal research and training continue during the negotiations, and that the GOI extend residence and work permits for U.S. NAMRU staff until alternate conditions were agreed between the two sides. Soerjogoeritno is a member of DPR's Commission I, which handles foreign and security affairs. He sent the letter after meeting with Indonesian research staff employed at NAMRU. ¶4. (U) The letter, which was sent to the press and received local coverage, is apparently the first letter from a DPR member to the GOI regarding NAMRU's status since DPR hearings on NAMRU in June 2008 and the first one to take a position on efforts by the Minister of Health to restrict NAMRU's activities. A group of DPR deputies visited NAMRU shortly before the hearings. ¶5. (U) Bio Note: Soerjogoeritno was born in Klaten, Central Java, in 1934, and has represented Sleman and Yogyakarta in that region. He has been a member of the PDI-P since 1950, joining the party's leadership in 1964. ¶6. (U) The following is Mission's informal translation of the Indonesian text of the letter. Begin text: The People's Legislative Council of Indonesia Number: PW.01/1173/DPR RI/II/2009 Level: Important Urgency: Immediate Attachment: 1 document RE: Cooperation Republic of Indonesia-NAMRU 2 Jakarta, 19 February 2009 His Excellency, President of the Republic of Indonesia: We hereby inform you that DPR Commission I on February 5, 2009 met with the Indonesian Employees Association of NAMRU-2. During the meeting, the association provided information concerning the cessation of various researches and activities of NAMRU-2 projects, which has (negatively) affected the development of research in health sector as well as the further employment status of Indonesia research personnel at NAMRU-2. In regard to this matter, the DPR requests the attention of Government for the following issues: ¶1. That the government hasten the conclusion of MOU negotiation of NAMRU-2 on the basis of the principle of mutual benefit and seal any cracks that could potentially damage the national interest of Indonesia; ¶2. That during the negotiations, the activity of NAMRU-2, especially in the health research/training sector, continue in order to develop and increase the professionalism of Indonesian researchers; ¶3. That the government, to wit, the Department of Foreign Affairs, extend residence and work permits for U.S. researchers at NAMRU-2 until alternate provisions emerge from the MOU negotiations. We hope government can immediately undertake these actions. Thank you for your attention. Deputy Chairman of DPR RI/KORPOLEKKU /signature and seal/ ¶H. SOETARDJOGOERITNO, B.Sc. Cc: Executive Board of DPR RI Executive Board of DPR Commission I Minister of Health Secretary General of DPR RI End Text. HEFFERN