BURMA: INDONESIA SEEKING MEETING WITH THAN SHWE,

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