INDONESIAN MP'S TO VISIT U.S.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000085 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, H NSC FOR E. PHU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM ID SUBJECT: INDONESIAN MP'S TO VISIT U.S. REF: A. JAKARTA 2137 ¶B. JAKARTA 2320 JAKARTA 00000085 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This message contains an Action Request -- Please see Para 5. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: Indonesian Speaker of the House Laksono has asked Mission to forward letters to U.S. Representatives Price and Dreier announcing an upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., by eight Members of Parliament (DPR). An original copy of the letter was sent to the Representatives' offices and a scanned copy was sent to EAP/MTS and the House Democratic Assistance Commission's (HDAC) Staff Director. The planned visit is an example of the Indonesian Parliament's increased focus on reform and cooperative engagement with HDAC. Action Request is contained in para 5. END SUMMARY. VISIT TO WASHINGTON BY MP'S ¶3. (U) The Indonesian Parliament is sponsoring and funding a visit to the U.S. Speaker Agung Laksono of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR) has sent similar letters to Congressman Price and Congressman Dreier congratulating them on their re-election efforts (see text of letter in para 7). In the letter, he describes the DPR's reform efforts and its commitment to continue working closely with the U.S. House of Representatives as stated in their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). ¶4. (U) Laksono outlined the agenda for the delegation traveling to the U.S. on January 26-28 and thanked the Congressmen for their leadership provided through the House Democratic Assistance Commission (HDAC). This trip will be the third such trip financed by the DPR as part of its parliamentary reform efforts. HDAC Staff Director John Lis has put together their Washington program in conjunction with Democratic Reform Support Program (DRSP) staff. ACTION REQUEST ¶5. (U) Mission requests that Department help arrange for suitable, high-level interlocutors for the Indonesian delegation. As noted, HDAC is helping arrange its Washington schedule. END ACTION REQUEST. THE DELEGATION ¶6. (U) The delegation will be comprised of the following Members of Parliament (two staff members will also accompany): -- Sayuti Asyathri, National Mandate Party (PAN) -- Azhar Romli, Golkar Party -- Tyas Indyah Iskandar, Golkar Party -- Fransiscus Xaverius Soekarno, Democratic Party (PD) -- Fahri Hamzah, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) -- Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, Golkar Party -- Zainal Arifin, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) -- Nursanita Nasution, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) SPEAKER'S LETTER ¶7. (U) The text of Speaker Laksono's letter to the Representatives follows: Begin text: Jakarta, January 13, 2009 The Honorable David Price The Honorable David Dreier House Democratic Assistance Commission JAKARTA 00000085 002.2 OF 002 U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. Dear Congressman Price and Congressman Dreier, Congratulations to your successful re-election campaigns. As you are all aware, Indonesian voters are now in the process of deciding who they would like to represent them for the next Parliamentarians Session as well. As you are aware, the Indonesian Parliament is fully committed to enhancing its functions on legislation, conducting oversight and developing our national budget by doing so in an open and accountable manner. My colleagues and I view activities under the auspices of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between our two parliaments as an important means by which we can achieve our goals. In line with the MOU, I would like to inform you that the Special Committee on Institutional Composition and Status of the Indonesian House of Representatives, People's Consultative Assembly, Regional Representatives Council and Regional Legislative Assembly, is sending its delegation to the United States to study specific Congressional Institutions and practices. This Committee is in the final stages of developing legislation that requires broad reforms for our parliamentary institutions and practices. The Committee has studied the practices of other parliaments and has last minute questions concerning some of the these from the U.S. experience. The Leadership and members of the Committee are interested in having specific discussions about the operation of your Congressional Budget Office, Congressional Research Office, Office of the Legislative Council, development of your operating budget and internal administration of the House itself. The delegation consists of 11 (eleven) Members, including the Head of the delegation, and 2 (two) secretaries. We are in the process of soliciting assistance from our Embassy in Washington as well. We hope they will provide interpretation services as well. We suggest the meeting dates be conducted from January 26th, 27th and possibly 28th. I recognize this period is an especially busy time in Washington but I hope your schedules can accommodate this delegation. We appreciate the leadership of both of you have provided through the HDAC and look forward to meeting you again. Yours Sincerely, /S/ H.R. Agung Laksono End text. HEFFERN