Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10JAKARTA213
2010-02-18 10:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:  

NASA ADVANCES SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN INDONESIA

Tags:  TSPL TSPA SCUL SENV PGOV ID 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJA #0213/01 0491004
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 181004Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4510
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLL
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEANAT/NASA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3133
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 6041
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3720
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 5454
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS JAKARTA 000213 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR STAS, OES, AND EAP
DEPT PASS TO OSTP JASON RAO
NASA FOR A/A MICHAEL O'BRIEN
TOKYO FOR NASA JUSTIN TILLMAN
COMMERCE FOR NOAA
BANGKOK FOR RDM/A

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPL TSPA SCUL SENV PGOV ID
SUBJECT: NASA ADVANCES SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN INDONESIA

UNCLAS JAKARTA 000213

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR STAS, OES, AND EAP
DEPT PASS TO OSTP JASON RAO
NASA FOR A/A MICHAEL O'BRIEN
TOKYO FOR NASA JUSTIN TILLMAN
COMMERCE FOR NOAA
BANGKOK FOR RDM/A

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPL TSPA SCUL SENV PGOV ID
SUBJECT: NASA ADVANCES SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN INDONESIA


1. (SBU) Summary: NASA Assistant Administrator Michael O'Brien
advanced President Obama's science engagement efforts in Indonesia
February 2-3. He discussed cooperative partnership opportunities on
space and Earth science and education with representatives from the
Ministry of Research and Technology (MRT),National Institute of
Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN),the Habibie Center, the Indonesian
Academy of Sciences, relevant research agencies, and university
representatives. MRT identified a POC for future cooperation with
NASA and provided guidance that discussions on potential projects
need not wait until the Science and Technology Agreement currently
being negotiated is signed. LAPAN noted that it would prioritize
cooperation with NASA in the area of space science application such
as remote sensing on carbon emissions. End Summary.

NASA Outreach Advances Obama's Cairo Vision
--------------


2. (SBU) O'Brien explained to all Indonesian counterparts NASA's
current outreach effort is part of President Obama's science
engagement through the Cairo Vision. He outlined NASA's specific
vision of cooperation with new potential partners such as Indonesia.
NASA aims to increase cooperation with Indonesia through
joint-efforts in its science mission directorate and invites
Indonesia to initiate ideas. O'Brien provided several examples of
current NASA cooperative programs: participation in the research of
the International Space Station, GLOBE education program, AERONET,
SERVIR, and other earth science applications, noting that any
specific cooperative programs are subject to international
agreements coordinated through the inter-agency process. (Note:
Currently, NASA has one formal agreement in place with Indonesia's
Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) for
cooperation in the AERONET program. Program activities had lapsed,
and O'Brien discussed separately with the Deputy Chairman of BPPT
how to revive the activity.) He explained that NASA focuses on
government-to-government partnerships, with no exchange of funds

that operate under a binding agreement. Further, Mr. O'Brien
explained that cooperation must be mutually beneficial to both the
U.S. government and the government of Indonesia.

MRT Appoints POC for Future Cooperation
--------------


3. (SBU) The Ministry of Research and Technology (MRT),Indonesia's
science coordinator, organized a meeting with a broad set of
research agencies related to space science. Agencies represented
included: National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN),
Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT),the
Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG),Survey and
Mapping Agency (BAKOSURTANAL),Ministry of Forestry, Ministry of
Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KEMLU),Bandung Institute
of Technology , and Gadjah Mada University. All institutions
welcomed cooperation with NASA, specifically the use of NASA Earth
science and observation technology, to augment monitoring
capabilities in the areas of climate change, food security,
environmental enforcement, disasters and weather monitoring
capability. For the next steps, MRT Deputy Minister Teguh Rahardjo
appointed Director for International Cooperation Nada Marsudi as the
central point of contact for relevant agencies to put forth ideas
for cooperation with NASA that were tangible and realistic for both
parties. He also noted that discussions and preparation for
cooperative activities need not wait for what he expected would be a
signing of the U.S.-Indonesia Science and Technology Agreement in
March.

LAPAN Prioritizes Space Science Application
--------------


4. (SBU) LAPAN Chairman Dr. Adi Sadewo Salatun hosted a lunch and
discussion meeting for the NASA delegation, including visual
presentations of imagery taken by Indonesia's current satellites.
LAPAN reports directly to the president and its mission is to
enhance Indonesia's capabilities in the areas of space technology,
space science, and remote sensing in facilities across the
archipelago. LAPAN emphasized it has limited capability because of
a relatively small operational budget of $20 million. LAPAN was
enthusiastic but realistic about cooperation with NASA, emphasizing
that cooperation in remote sensing data would likely offer the
greatest benefit to both the US and Indonesia. Salatun was
articulate on the need for Indonesia to establish the ability to
provide Measurable, Verifiable, and Reportable (MRV) emissions
reductions for future carbon market and compensation schemes under
climate mitigation. Overall the meeting was productive for both
NASA and LAPAN and provided a framework for initiating tangible
cooperation in the near-term through LAPAN-generated ideas on
specific areas of cooperation. Other participants from LAPAN
included Primary Secretary Dr. Bambang Kusumanto, Deputy Chairman
for Space Technology, Dr. Soewarto Hardhienata, Deputy Chairman for
Space and Science Assessment and Information, Mr. Bambang Setiawan
Tedjasukmana, and Deputy Chairman for Remote Sensing, Mr.
Nurhidayat.


5. (SBU) O'Brien also met with a small group of scientists to talk
broadly about Indonesia's scientific development history. Those in
attendance included Secretary General of the Indonesian Academy of
Sciences, Dr. Budhi M. Suyitno, Deputy Chairman of the Habibie
Center's science wing Mr. Agung Nugroho, and Indonesian Astronaut
Dr. Pratiwi Sudarmono.


6. (SBU) Assistant Administrator O'Brien's delegation cleared this
message.

HUME