UNCLAS STATE 006920

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEAN PREL OPRC XC XD XE XU XV
SUBJECT: ESTABLISHMENT OF U.S. MISSION TO ASEAN IN JAKARTA


1. (U) On January 20, Mr. Josh Cartin arrived in Jakarta to
begin his assignment as Resident Representative of the U.S.
Ambassador for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Affairs. Working out of AmEmbassy Jakarta, Mr. Cartin will
be responsible for coordinating the establishment of a new
resident U.S. Mission to ASEAN, and managing U.S. relations
and programs with the ASEAN Secretariat.


2. (U) In Secretary Clinton's July, 2009 remarks at the ASEAN
Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial, the Secretary announced our
commitment to establish a permanent U.S. Mission to ASEAN in
2010, as a major step in enhancing U.S. diplomatic engagement
with ASEAN. In November 2009, ASEAN leaders welcomed
President Obama's reinforcement of this commitment in the
ASEAN ) U.S. Leaders' Meeting Joint Statement. Mr. Cartin
will work with ASEAN Secretariat officials and relevant
Indonesian Foreign Ministry officials on preparatory steps,
such as obtaining diplomatic privileges and immunities for
U.S. ASEAN Mission staff.

3. (U) Posts are encouraged to identify one or two
points-of-contact at your Missions responsible for ASEAN/ARF
issues and communicate their contact information by e-mail to
Mr. Cartin (cartinjm@state.gov) to streamline and improve
communication on ASEAN-specific issues.

4. (U) As appropriate, ASEAN country posts are also requested
to provide the suggested press release below to local media
to help raise awareness of USG efforts to enhance engagement
with ASEAN.
-------------- --------------
BEGIN SUGGESTED PRESS RELEASE
-------------- --------------
United States Moves on New Mission to ASEAN
The United States took a major step towards establishing a
Permanent Mission to ASEAN with the arrival of its first
officer, Mr. Josh Cartin, on January 20, 2010. Mr. Cartin,
in his capacity as Resident Representative of the U.S.
Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs, is responsible for coordinating
with the ASEAN Secretariat, the Government of Indonesia, and
others to prepare for the arrival of a resident U.S.
Ambassador and the formal establishment of the permanent U.S.
Mission to ASEAN.
Secretary Clinton announced U.S. plans to open a Permanent
Mission to ASEAN in her meeting with Foreign Ministers last
July. At the landmark first ASEAN - U.S. Leaders' Meeting in
November, President Obama announced his expectation that a
resident U.S. Ambassador be in place by the middle of this
year.

The establishment of the U.S. Permanent Mission to ASEAN
underscores the importance the United States places on its
engagement with Southeast Asia's nations and the United
States' recognition of ASEAN as a crucial economic and
security institution in the Asia-Pacific region. The new
Mission will enhance U.S. engagement with the region on the
basis of shared goals and values, and work to advance our
common interests with the ASEAN organization and all of its
member countries.
CLINTON