VZCZCXRO5355
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #3435/01 3530648
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 190648Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7461
INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1790
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 003435
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP A/S HILL AND H A/S BERGNER FROM AMBASSADOR HUME;
ALSO PASS TO EAP DAS MARCIEL AND EAP/MTS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV OVIP ID
SUBJECT: ENGAGING THE HILL ON INDONESIA
REF: A. JAKARTA 3395
B. JAKARTA 3341
1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please
handle accordingly.
2. (SBU) Assistant Secretaries: As you are well aware, the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) talks recently concluded in Bali, Indonesia on
December 15 with the "Bali Roadmap." While the USG spent
considerable time and energy supporting the overall
negotiations, Mission also sought to leverage the presence of
so many Congressional visitors in Bali to call attention to
the extraordinary importance and depth of our bilateral
relationship with Indonesia. Our visitors were very
receptive to this message and I believe there is substantial
room for follow-on dialogue about Indonesia in Washington. A
full list of the Congressional participants that attended the
UNFCCC talks in Bali is included in paragraph 8.
3. (SBU) As reported in Refs A and B, Senator Kerry and
Representative Faleomavaega demonstrated considerable
enthusiasm for our message about the importance of Indonesia.
Senator Kerry and Representative Faleomavaega would both
likely welcome periodic updates on the relationship, as well
as suggestions on how they could help deepen bilateral
engagement.
4. (SBU) In addition, a total of roughly 40 staffers from the
Senate and House traveled to Bali to attend the UNFCCC talks.
Mission briefed the staffers on Indonesia's status as an
"environmental super-power" in terms of its bio-diversity and
the extent of its natural resources, while underscoring the
alarming rate of degradation taking place. I also had
occasion to brief our Congressional visitors on USG efforts
to define a "strategic center" to U.S.-Indonesian relations.
This "strategic center" would encompass three areas: 1.
Reform--How does the U.S. support the massive reform efforts
underway in Indonesia? 2. Security--How do we develop a
stronger relationship with both the police and the military?
3. Connections--How do we encourage Indonesia to open up to
the outside world?
5. (SBU) During the course of the two week UNFCCC talks, it
became readily apparent that there is a considerable appetite
for greater dialogue about Indonesia in the U.S. Congress. I
will cite just a few of the numerous examples. Margaret
Cummisky from Senator Inouye's staff told Mission that
Senator Inouye believes Indonesia "deserves more attention
than it gets." Ms. Cummisky demonstrated great interest in
Indonesia herself and would like to identify ways to help
advance the relationship. Jim Greene from Senator Biden's
staff characterized the environmental briefing he received on
Indonesia as "the highlight of his trip," and underscored the
fact that Senator Biden tracks Indonesian affairs very
closely. Greene went out of his way to meet with Acehenese
Governor Irwandi in Bali and noted that Senator Biden follows
the Aceh reconstruction issue in detail. Greene also
mentioned that Senator Biden would like to find ways to help
the decentralization efforts in Aceh and Papua move forward.
Richard Frandsen from the Energy and Commerce Committee also
expressed great appreciation for a Mission briefing he
received on avian influenza.
6. (SBU) Throughout the Bali conference, I was continually
struck by the palpable enthusiasm and interest in Indonesian
affairs shown by our Congressional visitors. The United
States has a remarkable opportunity to help this country of
over 240 million people secure a bright future, while
building the foundation for a long-term partnership in a
strategic corner of the world. We believe the Congressional
visitors that attended the UNFCCC talks share this vision for
our relationship with Indonesia and will be receptive to
further engagement with the Department as we look for ways to
move forward USG legislative priorities for Indonesia.
7. (U) Mission would be pleased to provide additional
information and looks forward to assisting in ongoing
contacts with key interlocutors. Regards, Cameron.
8. (U) A listing of Congressional participants at the UNFCCC
talks in Bali:
Senators: Committee/Office
Kerry, John (D-MA) Foreign Relations
Representatives
Faleomavaega, Eni (D-AS) Foreign Affairs
JAKARTA 00003435 002 OF 002
Senate Staff:
Barron, Alexander Office of Sen. Lieberman (AAAS
Congressional Fellow)
Black, Jonathan Energy and Natural Resources
(Professional Staff Member)
Cummisky, Margaret Commerce, Science and Transportation
(Staff Director)
Darcy, Jo-Ellen Finance (Senior Environmental Advisor)
Deschamps, Floyd Commerce, Science and Transportation
(Senior Advisor)
Frangione, Kathleen Office of Sen. Kerry (Legislative
Assistant)
Greene, Jim Office of Sen. Biden (Senior Policy
Advisor)
Johnston, Todd Office of Sen. Voinovich (Legislative
Assistant)
Lawler, Tom Office of Sen. Carper (Legislative
Assistant)
Maher, Jessica Office of Sen. Sanders (Senior
Advisor)
Matwyshen, Suzanne Office of Sen. Vitter (Legislative
Assistant)
Maxwell, Chelsea Office of Sen. Warner (Senior Advisor)
McIntosh, David Office of Sen. Lieberman (Counsel)
Morano, Marc Environment and Public Works
(Communications Director)
Parker, Darren Office of Sen. Craig (Research
Assistant)
Rafle, Peter Environment and Public Works
(Communications Director)
Shanahan, John Environment and Public Works (Counsel)
Stoody, John Office of Sen. Bond (Legislative
Assistant/Counsel)
Thu, Eric Environment and Public Works
(Research Assistant)
Wade, David Office of Senator Kerry (Deputy Chief
of Staff)
Whiting, Daniel Office of Sen. Craig (Communications
Director)
Worrest, Virginia Office of Sen. Snowe (Senior Advisor)
Zulkosky, Ann Commerce, Science and Transportation
(Professional Staff Member)
House Staff:
Baran, Jeff Oversight and Government Reform
(Counsel)
Beauvais, Joel Select Committee on Energy
Independence and Global Warming
Bennett, Aimee Brooke Oversight and Government Reform
(Counsel)
Bilas, Kurt Energy and Commerce (Counsel)
Cohen, Ana Unruh Select Committee on Energy
Independence and Global Warming
Forsyth, Bart Office of Rep. Sensenbrenner (Science
Counsel)
Frandsen, Richard Energy and Commerce (Senior Counsel)
Hummel, L. Holmes Office of Rep. Inslee (Legislative
Fellow)
Husar, Kristina Moore Oversight and Government Reform
(Professional Staff Member)
Jones, Eric Oversight and Government Reform
(Counsel)
Killion, David Foreign Affairs (Professional Staff
Member)
King, Christopher Science and Technology (Professional
Staff Member)
Lei, Vili Foreign Affairs (Staff Associate)
McCarthy, David Energy and Commerce (Counsel)
Rothschild, Tara Science and Technology (Professional
Staff Member)
Weimer, Tom Select Committee on Energy
Independence and Global Warming (Chief of Staff)
Williams, Lisa Foreign Affairs (Staff Director)
End.
HUME