VZCZCXRO6258
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #1845/01 1900618
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090618Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5336
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 3352
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0097
RUEHUM/AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR 0073
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001845
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
H FOR RICH
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM ID
SUBJECT: CODEL PAYNE MEETS INDONESIAN PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO
REF: JAKARTA 1759
JAKARTA 00001845 001.2 OF 002
1. SUMMARY: In a cordial 45 minute meeting on July 5,
Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ) and President Yudhoyono
agreed on the need to build the capacity of the Indonesian
Parliament. Congressmen Payne, David Dreier (R-CA) and James
Moran (D-VA), who were in Jakarta for two days of meetings
with the DPR under the aegis of the House Democracy Action
Committee, praised the President for Indonesia's democratic
progress and assured him of strong U.S. support. President
SBY said his goal was to make Indonesia a model of Islam,
democracy and modernity in harmony. Congressman Moran raised
the need for accountability for past human rights abuses by
security forces and Congressman Payne stressed the need for
Jakarta to support the people of Papua. Congressman Drier
praised Indonesia's support for UNSCR 1747 on Iran and urged
continued support. President SBY described Indonesia's
efforts to bring about Palestinian reconciliation and
reiterated GOI support for a "two state" solution to the
Israel-Palestinian dispute. SBY also praised Washington's
decision to engage with Iran on Iraqi security.
END SUMMARY.
Yudhoyono vision
----------------
2. President Yudhoyono (SBY) described for the Congressmen
the challenges that Indonesia faces during this period of
transformation and reform. He is trying to make Indonesia a
model for the world, demonstrating that Islam, democracy and
modernity can live in harmony. Jakarta remains committed to
resolving regional issues in Papua, Aceh and Ambon via
democratic means. His biggest challenge is how to reduce
poverty and create jobs. President SBY praised the U.S. as a
"critical partner," noting the growing regional influence of
China and India and thanked the Congressmen for American
assistance in times of crisis and in normal times.
Congressmen Stress Capacity Building
------------------------------------
3. Congressman Payne praised Indonesia's democratic progress
and pledged that we would remain a close bilateral partner.
He described briefly the role of the House Democratic Action
Committee (HDAC) in assisting the parliaments of emerging
democracies and cited Indonesia's Parliament (DPR) as an
ideal partner. Congressman Dreier recommended that
additional staff and budget for DPR could help inform DPR
members and improve the level of the debate in the DPR on
Iran and other issues. Congressman Moran added that
increased staffing in the President's office, including via a
National Security Council, might be helpful. The President
noted that "freedom is everywhere" in Indonesia now, but that
capacity has not been able to keep up. SBY readily agreed
that improved DPR training and staffing was necessary.
Accountability and Papua
------------------------
4. Congressman Moran praised President SBY as a reform leader
and welcomed his commitment to lead Indonesia to a democratic
and prosperous future. Acknowledging that democracy cannot
happen overnight, the Congressman stressed the need for
Indonesia to hold its security forces accountable for the
human rights abuses of the past. SBY assured the Congressman
that he remained committed to TNI reform as part of his
overall reform agenda. In that regard, SBY stressed that
Indonesia needed to do more to attract foreign direct
investment. Congressman Dreier interjected that the WTO and
conclusion of the Doha Round would help the economies of
Indonesia and the developing world. Congressman Payne
sought and received the President's assurance that he
remained committed to improving the lives of the people of
Papua.
Iran and the Middle East
------------------------
Congressman Dreier praised Indonesia's vote in favor of UNSCR
1747 on Iran and requested continued support on subsequent
resolutions. The President made no commitment, but described
the difficult domestic context of the issue. He recounted
how he was taking unwarranted criticism in the DPR for
"caving in to U.S. pressure," over the vote. This was an
example of how a better informed and more capable DPR would
help raise the level of debate in Indonesia on crucial
international issues. As the meeting was breaking up, SBY
JAKARTA 00001845 002.2 OF 002
expressed concern about recent development in Gaza and urged
Washington to do what we could to cool tensions. He
reiterated GOI support for a "two state" solution.
Congressman Payne welcomed that position and urged Indonesia
as a moderate Islamic majority democracy to try to use its
influence with the Palestinians. Finally, the President
welcomed recent meetings between U.S. and Iranian officials
on Iraqi security.
HUME