INDONESIA: SENIOR DELEGATION CHIEF NEEDED FOR WORLD OCEAN

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000705 SIPDIS STATE ALSO FOR EAP/MTS AND OES COMMERCE FOR NOAA USAID FOR RDMA/BANGKOK AND ANE E.O. 12598: N/A TAGS: SENV TBIO EAID ECON PREL ID SUBJECT: INDONESIA: SENIOR DELEGATION CHIEF NEEDED FOR WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE REF: Jakarta 655 ¶1. There is an urgent need to name a senior official to lead the U.S. delegation to the May 11-15 World Ocean Conference and Coral Triangle Initiative Summit. Secretary Clinton told President Yudhoyono that the USG will send a high-level representative to the Conference. A strong delegation could advance the Administration's environment and climate change agenda and demonstrate our continued commitment to the Coral Triangle Initiative. ¶2. Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Numberi had invited NOAA Administrator Lubchenco to participate and planned to offer her the keynote speaker address. However, no senior representation from NOAA is planned, undercutting Secretary Clinton's commitment to President Yudhoyono. The World Ocean Conference (WOC) is an important opportunity to advance the U.S. standing on the environment and climate change agenda. The best way the U.S. can help ensure success is to send the right representative, which will encourage other nations to do the same. The sizeable U.S. Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) program is an important contribution to the region. Without a senior U.S. representative at the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit we minimize our contribution rather than capitalize on it to generate favorable publicity and promote our views. ¶3. The USG needs a plan for representation at the WOC especially if Dr. Lubchenco cannot participate. One step would be to name Commerce Undersecretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Mary Glackin now to head the delegation. We also suggest that Secretary Clinton record a three-to-five minute video addressing World Ocean Conference delegates and wishing them success. Her message would be an opportunity to state Administration priorities and expectations on climate and the environment directly to national delegations. Senior NOAA participation and such a message from Secretary Clinton would fulfill her promise to President Yudhoyono. -------------- -- AN EVEN BETTER OPTION: FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON -------------- -- ¶4. Secretary Clinton advanced the U.S. -Indonesia relationship significantly by including Jakarta on her Asia itinerary. Embassy Jakarta has learned that former President Bill Clinton plans to visit Indonesia on/about May 19. If the former President could juggle his schedule in the region to visit Indonesia earlier, we could invite him to participate in the Coral Triangle Initiative Summit events on May 14-15. All six Heads of State of CTI countries will attend the Summit events on May 14 and 15. Australian Minister of Environment Stephen Garrett will also participate as the Australia's observer country representative. With former President Clinton's attendance, any concerns about U.S. commitment to the World Ocean Conference and CTI Summit would vanish. President Clinton's attendance would reinforce the Secretary's message that Indonesia is important, build impressive momentum for a potential President Obama visit in November, and signal the new administration's commitment to the environment. We request the Secretary's office to investigate this option. HUME