Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JAKARTA893
2009-05-26 06:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:
SENIOR INDONESIAN MP WORKS TO HIGHLIGHT PLIGHT OF
how-toVZCZCXRO2364 OO RUEHDT RUEHPB DE RUEHJA #0893 1460615 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 260615Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2393 INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2699 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 1612 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS JAKARTA 000893
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, EAP/PD, DRL; NSC
FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KDEM ID BM XC
SUBJECT: SENIOR INDONESIAN MP WORKS TO HIGHLIGHT PLIGHT OF
AUNG SAN SUU KYI
REF: A. JAKARTA 698
B. JAKARTA 446 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS JAKARTA 000893
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, EAP/PD, DRL; NSC
FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KDEM ID BM XC
SUBJECT: SENIOR INDONESIAN MP WORKS TO HIGHLIGHT PLIGHT OF
AUNG SAN SUU KYI
REF: A. JAKARTA 698
B. JAKARTA 446 AND PREVIOUS
1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; Please
handle accordingly.
2. (U) This is an Action Request--see paragraph 7.
3. (SBU) SUMMARY: A leading member of the Myanmar Caucus of
the Indonesian Parliament is planning a series of media
roundtable discussions meant to raise local and regional
awareness of Aung San Suu Kyi's plight. The programs would
also serve as a follow-up to the highly effective USG-funded
"Burma Road Show" events held at Indonesian universities in
recent months. The organizer has requested modest USG
support. We think that the plans are highly congruent with
U.S. policy efforts re Burma and should be supported if at
all possible. END SUMMARY.
HIGHLIGHTING THE SITUATION IN BURMA
4. (SBU) A senior Indonesian Member of Parliament is working
to stimulate interest in the situation in Burma. Djoko
Susilo, a passionate Myanmar caucus member and outspoken
defender of human rights and democracy in Burma, has asked
for USG support to carry out a series of four roundtable
discussions on Burma democracy and human rights. The
discussions would be timed for around Suu Kyi's June 19
birthday. Susilo hopes the programs will help create
widespread Indonesian and regional support to increase
pressure on the regime to release Suu Kyi and institute
democratic reforms. The programs would be held under the
auspices of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus
(AIPMC).
5. (SBU) The program would target major media in Indonesia's
two most important cities, the national capital of Jakarta
and the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya. The four
discussions would be exclusively for two major television
stations and two newspapers in each city. These media would
provide lengthy, in-depth analysis of the Burma situation
reaching tens of millions of Indonesians.
A HISTORY OF EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT
6. (SBU) Susilo also recently organized a series of
USG-funded discussions at elite Indonesian universities, the
"Burma Road Show" (ref B). The Road Show was effective in
terms of raising awareness on Burma and underscoring that
Indonesia--as an ASEAN neighbor--can play a key role in
fostering change there. The three events--plus Mission's
conference on Burma held early last year--have helped place a
spotlight on the Burmese regime and its denial of
democratic/human rights to its citizens. The GOI has been
active in pressing Burma on human rights issues, (ref A),
including a recent statement by Foreign Minister Wirajuda
pressing for Suu Kyi's immediate release.
ACTION REQUEST
7. (SBU) By leveraging regional support, we think that
Susilo's plans are highly congruent with U.S. policy efforts
re Burma and should be supported if at all possible. Susilo
has requested USD 9,000 for the four events to cover
honorarium for speakers, venue rental and logistical costs.
Mission would like EAP to consider this modest request. A
more detailed project proposal and budget will be forwarded
separately. END ACTION REQUEST.
HUME
SIPDIS
DEPT. FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, EAP/PD, DRL; NSC
FOR EPHU
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KDEM ID BM XC
SUBJECT: SENIOR INDONESIAN MP WORKS TO HIGHLIGHT PLIGHT OF
AUNG SAN SUU KYI
REF: A. JAKARTA 698
B. JAKARTA 446 AND PREVIOUS
1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified; Please
handle accordingly.
2. (U) This is an Action Request--see paragraph 7.
3. (SBU) SUMMARY: A leading member of the Myanmar Caucus of
the Indonesian Parliament is planning a series of media
roundtable discussions meant to raise local and regional
awareness of Aung San Suu Kyi's plight. The programs would
also serve as a follow-up to the highly effective USG-funded
"Burma Road Show" events held at Indonesian universities in
recent months. The organizer has requested modest USG
support. We think that the plans are highly congruent with
U.S. policy efforts re Burma and should be supported if at
all possible. END SUMMARY.
HIGHLIGHTING THE SITUATION IN BURMA
4. (SBU) A senior Indonesian Member of Parliament is working
to stimulate interest in the situation in Burma. Djoko
Susilo, a passionate Myanmar caucus member and outspoken
defender of human rights and democracy in Burma, has asked
for USG support to carry out a series of four roundtable
discussions on Burma democracy and human rights. The
discussions would be timed for around Suu Kyi's June 19
birthday. Susilo hopes the programs will help create
widespread Indonesian and regional support to increase
pressure on the regime to release Suu Kyi and institute
democratic reforms. The programs would be held under the
auspices of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus
(AIPMC).
5. (SBU) The program would target major media in Indonesia's
two most important cities, the national capital of Jakarta
and the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya. The four
discussions would be exclusively for two major television
stations and two newspapers in each city. These media would
provide lengthy, in-depth analysis of the Burma situation
reaching tens of millions of Indonesians.
A HISTORY OF EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT
6. (SBU) Susilo also recently organized a series of
USG-funded discussions at elite Indonesian universities, the
"Burma Road Show" (ref B). The Road Show was effective in
terms of raising awareness on Burma and underscoring that
Indonesia--as an ASEAN neighbor--can play a key role in
fostering change there. The three events--plus Mission's
conference on Burma held early last year--have helped place a
spotlight on the Burmese regime and its denial of
democratic/human rights to its citizens. The GOI has been
active in pressing Burma on human rights issues, (ref A),
including a recent statement by Foreign Minister Wirajuda
pressing for Suu Kyi's immediate release.
ACTION REQUEST
7. (SBU) By leveraging regional support, we think that
Susilo's plans are highly congruent with U.S. policy efforts
re Burma and should be supported if at all possible. Susilo
has requested USD 9,000 for the four events to cover
honorarium for speakers, venue rental and logistical costs.
Mission would like EAP to consider this modest request. A
more detailed project proposal and budget will be forwarded
separately. END ACTION REQUEST.
HUME