Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10JAKARTA207
2010-02-17 10:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:  

PARLIAMENT LEADER SEEKS SUPPORT FOR FIRST MAJOR

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM ID 
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VZCZCXRO5519
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #0207 0481016
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 171016Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4504
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
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
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