PARLIAMENT LEADER SEEKS SUPPORT FOR FIRST MAJOR

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000207 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP NSC FOR D. WALTON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM ID SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT LEADER SEEKS SUPPORT FOR FIRST MAJOR VISIT TO WASHINGTON REF: A. JAKARTA 2032 ¶B. JAKARTA 1866 1.(U) Irman Gusman, Speaker of the Regional Representatives Assembly (DPD) told DCM on February 17 that he wanted to lead a ten-person delegation to Capital Hill in June. Gusman stated that the delegation would likely include representatives from Papua and Aceh and Foreign Affairs officials. Gusman explained that while his predecessor had focused on expanding ties with Australia and Japan, he wants to focus on strengthening Indonesia's relationship with the United States. (Note: Gusman has an MBA from the University of Bridgeport, and his daughter attends high school in New York.) FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT OF DPD SPEAKER TO THE U.S. 2.(U) This would be the first official visit of a DPD Speaker to the United States. During his visit, Gusman would seek closer cooperation and exchanges with both the Senate and the House, and learn how Capitol Hill works. Gusman pointed out that the visit would follw an expected agreement in March to pursue a comprehensive partnership between the U.S. and Indonesia. (Note: Although the DPD is structurally like the Senate as the "upper house" of Indonesia's legislative branch whose provincial representatives are directly elected, it serves as a consultative body on regional affairs and does not create or vote on legislation.) Gusman's agenda would include discussing the role of the legislature in Indonesia's transition from dictatorship to democracy and deepening and strengthening the comprehensive partnership. REQUEST FOR PRESIDENT TO MEET LEGISLATIVE LEADERS 3.(U) Gusman urged the DCM to ask Washington for a meeting between President Obama and Indonesia's legislative leaders during the President's much-anticipated late March visit. Gusman pointed out that the leaders of India, Brazil, and other countries had met with the leaders during their visits to Jakarta. Gusman maintained that "it would not sit well with Indonesians if the U.S. just met with the palace. That would be like during Suharto times. The palace is the symbol of power, the parliament is the symbol of democracy." DCM said the Embassy welcomed the opportunity to facilitate his delegation's visit to Washington. HUME