Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON600
2009-09-10 09:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: INDONESIA SEEKING MEETING WITH THAN SHWE,
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000600
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP,
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019
TAGS: ECON PREL PGOV PINR BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: INDONESIA SEEKING MEETING WITH THAN SHWE,
INCREASING ASSISTANCE
Classified By: Economic Officer Marc R. Porter for Reasons 1.4 (b and d
).
Summary
-------
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000600
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP,
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019
TAGS: ECON PREL PGOV PINR BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: INDONESIA SEEKING MEETING WITH THAN SHWE,
INCREASING ASSISTANCE
Classified By: Economic Officer Marc R. Porter for Reasons 1.4 (b and d
).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) According to ASEAN's special envoy for post-Nargis
recovery, a former Indonesian government official, Indonesia
feels it can play a constructive role in Burma and is seeking
a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan
Wirajuda and SPDC Chair Than Shwe prior to the upcoming UN
General Assembly (UNGA). Indonesia recently donated USD 1
million in cash to the GOB for post-Nargis recovery. End
Summary.
Indonesian FM Seeking Dialogue with Senior General
-------------- --------------
2. (C) At a September 4 meeting on post-Nargis assistance
attended by U.S., Australian, U.K., and European Commission
diplomats, ASEAN's special envoy for post-Nargis recovery,
William Sabandar, reported that Indonesia is taking steps to
play a greater role in Burma. Speaking informally and citing
his connections to the GOI, Sabandar said the Indonesian FM
is seeking a meeting with Burmese Senior General Than Shwe.
Sabandar did not elaborate on how Indonesia was pursuing the
meeting request, saying only it was being "handled through
intelligence channels." Indonesia's FM wants the meeting
before UNGA and will not settle for a meeting with the
Burmese PM or other SPDC leaders, said Sabandar. He added
that the Burmese have not definitively responded to the
overture, but he indicated he believes the junta is amenable
to a meeting.
Indonesian Assistance Going Direct to GOB -- In Cash
-------------- --------------
3. (C) In early September, Indonesia provided USD 1 million
in new assistance to Burma, with two thirds going to
education infrastructure and one third to health
infrastructure in Cyclone Nargis-affected areas, Sabandar
told diplomats. Sabandar reported that the donation was made
in cash by the Indonesian Ambassador to Tripartite Core Group
(TCG) Chair Kyaw Thu and that the funds were recorded and
taken away by a Burmese central bank representative. The TCG
is charged with monitoring the use of the money and reporting
back to the Indonesian government. Sabandar characterized
the donation as a "show of trust" to Burma on post-Nargis
recovery efforts.
4. (C) Sabandar was confident the Indonesian FM's meeting
request would be favorably received by the junta, and though
he did not characterize the donation as a quid pro quo for
the meeting it was clear he thought the timing would help.
VAJDA
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, INR/EAP,
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/25/2019
TAGS: ECON PREL PGOV PINR BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: INDONESIA SEEKING MEETING WITH THAN SHWE,
INCREASING ASSISTANCE
Classified By: Economic Officer Marc R. Porter for Reasons 1.4 (b and d
).
Summary
--------------
1. (C) According to ASEAN's special envoy for post-Nargis
recovery, a former Indonesian government official, Indonesia
feels it can play a constructive role in Burma and is seeking
a meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan
Wirajuda and SPDC Chair Than Shwe prior to the upcoming UN
General Assembly (UNGA). Indonesia recently donated USD 1
million in cash to the GOB for post-Nargis recovery. End
Summary.
Indonesian FM Seeking Dialogue with Senior General
-------------- --------------
2. (C) At a September 4 meeting on post-Nargis assistance
attended by U.S., Australian, U.K., and European Commission
diplomats, ASEAN's special envoy for post-Nargis recovery,
William Sabandar, reported that Indonesia is taking steps to
play a greater role in Burma. Speaking informally and citing
his connections to the GOI, Sabandar said the Indonesian FM
is seeking a meeting with Burmese Senior General Than Shwe.
Sabandar did not elaborate on how Indonesia was pursuing the
meeting request, saying only it was being "handled through
intelligence channels." Indonesia's FM wants the meeting
before UNGA and will not settle for a meeting with the
Burmese PM or other SPDC leaders, said Sabandar. He added
that the Burmese have not definitively responded to the
overture, but he indicated he believes the junta is amenable
to a meeting.
Indonesian Assistance Going Direct to GOB -- In Cash
-------------- --------------
3. (C) In early September, Indonesia provided USD 1 million
in new assistance to Burma, with two thirds going to
education infrastructure and one third to health
infrastructure in Cyclone Nargis-affected areas, Sabandar
told diplomats. Sabandar reported that the donation was made
in cash by the Indonesian Ambassador to Tripartite Core Group
(TCG) Chair Kyaw Thu and that the funds were recorded and
taken away by a Burmese central bank representative. The TCG
is charged with monitoring the use of the money and reporting
back to the Indonesian government. Sabandar characterized
the donation as a "show of trust" to Burma on post-Nargis
recovery efforts.
4. (C) Sabandar was confident the Indonesian FM's meeting
request would be favorably received by the junta, and though
he did not characterize the donation as a quid pro quo for
the meeting it was clear he thought the timing would help.
VAJDA