GOI CAUTIOUS ON US PARTICIPATION IN EAST ASIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000200

SIPDIS

NSC PASS TO DES WALTON

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2020
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR AMGT ASEAN XC ID
SUBJECT: GOI CAUTIOUS ON US PARTICIPATION IN EAST ASIA
SUMMIT

JAKARTA 00000200 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Peter Haas for reasons 1.4(
b&d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a February 12 meeting with EAP DAS Scot
Marciel, Indonesian Foreign Ministry (KEMLU) Secretary
General Imron Cotan conveyed the Indonesian government's
(GOI) hesitancy to endorse U.S. participation in the East
Asia Summit (EAS) at this time, because of the likelihood
that this would lead to interest by other parties such as
Russia, and based on the GOI's conviction that EAS should be
cultivated in its current configuration before any expansion.
Cotan welcomed in principle U.S. interest as an endorsement
of EAS viability as a regional organization, and committed to
discuss U.S. participation with other ASEAN members. Cotan
expressed support for a U.S. Permanent Mission to ASEAN in
Jakarta and said that KEMLU would work to help facilitate
privileges and immunities for the Mission. End summary.

EAST ASIA SUMMIT
--------------


2. (C) In a friendly one-hour meeting with KEMLU Secretary
General Imron Cotan, Indonesia's Ambassador-Designate to
Beijing, EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel said the
U.S. wished to solicit quietly and informally the views of
our friends in the region regarding possible U.S.
participation in the East Asia Summit (EAS). Cotan responded
that Indonesia had anticipated U.S. interest and that KEMLU
was discussing the subject of expanding participation in EAS
beyond its current "ASEAN 6" (China, Japan, ROK, India,
Australia, New Zealand) configuration. Cotan averred that
the "general feeling" was that the current configuration of
EAS should be stabilized before opening up to new
participants. There was no need for others to "join",
according to Cotan, since EAS was not an organization per se,
but rather a "mechanism" for regional leaders to address
certain issues "without strings".


3. (C) DAS Marciel noted that other ASEAN member-governments
with whom he had consulted responded positively to U.S.
interest. Cotan emphasized that the GOI had not taken a
definitive position on U.S. participation and would consult
with friends in the region. He pointed out that U.S.
participation would affect other countries' desire to
participate, noting specifically that Russia had accused
Indonesia of preventing it from becoming engaged in EAS.


4. (C) Citing the Secretary's January 12 speech at the
East-West Center, DAS Marciel explained that U.S. interest in
exploring engagement with EAS was based on our desire as a
Pacific nation to be part of the discussion on regional
architecture. Cotan said that he viewed increased U.S.
interest as a positive development and an endorsement of EAS
as a "serious partner". Even if the U.S. did not become a
participant in the EAS in the near term, he suggested, it
might be possible as a start for the U.S. to engage as an
observer or invited guest. Cotan committed to consider U.S.
expressions of interest seriously and make a policy
recommendation accordingly.

US MISSION TO ASEAN
--------------


5. (C) Cotan said increased U.S. attention to ASEAN was
welcome and that KEMLU was "elated" about the U.S. intent to
open a standalone Permanent Mission to ASEAN and send an

JAKARTA 00000200 002.2 OF 002


Ambassador. In reply to DAS Marciel's request for KEMLU
assistance in granting privileges and immunities for the new
Mission, Cotan said that in general the Mission could expect
to enjoy the same privileges and immunities as the U.S.
Embassy to Indonesia, and that KEMLU would try to push for a
resolution as quickly as possible.


6. (U) This message was sent by the Resident Representative
of the Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs. DAS Marciel did not
have the opportunity to clear this cable.
HUME