BURMA -- INDONESIA CALLS FOR RELEASE OF AUNG SAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000867 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2019 TAGS: PREL KDEM ID BM SUBJECT: BURMA -- INDONESIA CALLS FOR RELEASE OF AUNG SAN SUU KYI REF: JAKARTA 850 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In May 18 remarks, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda called on the Burmese regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi. The remarks came after Secretary Clinton's May 16 phone conversation with the Foreign Minister. The Myanmar Caucus of the Indonesian Parliament has also called on the regime to release the detained opposition leader. ¶2. (C) SUMMARY (Con'd): Pol/C spoke to the head of the Caucus, Djoko Susilo, and urged further regional efforts to publicize the situation in Burma. Susilo said he was planning to sponsor a conference that would be held in Jakarta on the date of Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday next month. Mission will look for ways to support Susilo and will be in touch with Department re possible funding. END SUMMARY. GOI COMES DOWN HARD ON REGIME ¶3. (C) In sharp comments directed at the Burmese regime, the Indonesian government has publicly called for the release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Late on May 18, Foreign Minister Wirajuda stated that the trial and detention of Aung San Suu Kyi sent "the wrong message" to the international community. He added that "for over a decade, Aung San Suu Kyi has been treated arbitrarily. She should be released. Actually, we were hoping that if there is any trial, it will be decided to release her immediately and not to extend her detention or house arrest." Wirajuda's remarks came after his May 16 phone conversation with the Secretary. ¶4. (U) The Indonesian Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU) also issued the following statement: "The Indonesian government is very concerned about the arbitrary detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and we are hoping for a legal process that shows any basis for her detention and her immediate release." Spokesman Teuku Faizasyah went on to add: "The charges against her are not appropriate. Why should Aung San Suu Kyi be detained when it was an American national who swam across the water to her house? For the time being, we don't see any good coming out of the trial if it takes place. Our main position is to tell Burma to release Aung San Suu Kyi." PARLIAMENTARIANS ISSUE STATEMENT ¶5. (U) Indonesian parliamentarians have also issued a statement. The Myanmar Caucus called for Aung San Suu Kyi's immediate release and urged the Indonesian government "to take action against this extreme violation of justice." The statement was signed by all 50 Caucus members, which includes a cross-section of Indonesian political parties from the secular-inclined to the Islamic-oriented. WORKING TO STIMULATE BROADER PUBLIC CONCERN ¶6. (C) We have urged Indonesian MP's to seek ways to stimulate broader public concern about the Burma situation. In a May 19 meeting, Djoko Susilo, the MP who heads the Myanmar Caucus, confirmed that he was planning to sponsor a conference to be held in Jakarta on June 19, the date of Aung San Suu Kyi's birthday. Susilo said he wanted the conference to be similar to earlier conferences he has sponsored re Burma, adding that he wanted to continue to engage members of NGO's plus younger people. He added that he wanted to include regional elements, too. Pol/C noted that the USG would look for ways to support this effort, just as we helped fund earlier programs re Burma that Susilo has put on. ¶7. (U) Mission will continue to work with Susilo. As plans are developed, we will be in touch with Department re a possible funding request. HUME