C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000741

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, EUR, EUR/SCE, IO
(SHIRATORI AND PFEUFFER)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2019
TAGS: PREL PBTS ID KV OICCO
SUBJECT: KOSOVO -- ENCOURAGING INDONESIAN RECOGNITION

REF: STATE 41665

Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Mission has encouraged Indonesia to
recognize Kosovo and support the country's bid for membership
in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. We
noted that an increasing number of countries have now
recognized Kosovo--most recently Saudi Arabia--and that
Indonesia should do the same. The GOI continues to review
the matter. Other embassies have also raised Kosovo
recognition with the GOI, receiving the same response. END
SUMMARY.

URGING RECOGNITION


2. (C) Mission has reiterated U.S. support for Kosovo
recognition. Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Cicilia
Rusdiharini, Deputy Director for American Affairs at the
Department of Foreign Affairs, on April 28. He noted that an
increasing number of countries, including members of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), had recognized
Kosovo. Saudi Arabia, for example, had done so on April 20.
Doing so did not set any precedent for separatist regions in
other parts of the world. Poloff underscored that
recognizing Kosovo would help bring stability to the Balkans.
(Note: The question of a Kosovo precedent is particularly
sensitive for Indonesia given separatist sentiments in
regions like Aceh and Papua.)


3. (C) Poloff also urged Indonesia to support Kosovo's bid
to join the IMF and the World Bank. The Kosovo government
was focusing its attention on economic development and
providing benefits to its people. Membership in the IMF and
World Bank would provide critical support to that effort.
The United States hoped Indonesia would join us in supporting
Kosovo's membership in these key institutions.

GOI STILL CONSIDERING


4. (U) Rusdiharini took our points on board and said
Indonesia was still reviewing the matter.


5. (C) DEPLU interlocutors had previously told us that
recognizing Kosovo was a sensitive political decision given
Indonesia's own separatist issues. They had advised that
Indonesia would not likely make a decision on this matter
until after this year's presidential election was over.
(Note: The first round of voting will be in July. If
needed, a runoff would occur in September.)

OTHER MISSIONS ENGAGED


6. (C) A number of European diplomatic missions are also
pressing the GOI on this matter. Contacts at the British and
German Embassies told us they have received the same basic
message from their Indonesian interlocutors.

HUME