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