ESTABLISHMENT OF U.S. MISSION TO ASEAN IN JAKARTA

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