INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Ambassador's Courtesy Call On New Minister Of

Published: Thu 5 Nov 2009 03:51 AM
VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHJA #1833 3090351
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050351Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3722
INFO RUEHGP/AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE 6634
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS JAKARTA 001833
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR E, EAP/MTS, EB/TRA, EEB/IFD/ODF, EEB/TRA, EEB/CBA
SINGAPORE PASS TO FAA MARY WALSH, TSA THOMAS KEENE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR ECON PREL ID
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S COURTESY CALL ON NEW MINISTER OF
TRANSPORTATION FREDDY NUMBERI
REF: A. JAKARTA 1227
B. JAKARTA 1619
1. On November 3, Ambassador Hume and newly-appointed Minister of
Transportation Freddy Numberi discussed Indonesia's desire to
improve railroad and aviation infrastructure and possibilities for
expanding mutual cooperation in those strategic areas. Numberi,
Minister of Oceans and Fisheries during President Yudhoyono's first
term, welcomed deepening U.S.- Indonesia bilateral relations.
2. Minister Numberi highlighted the railway system as a key area
for investment and improvement during President Yudhoyono's second
term, and referenced the GoI's positive experiences with General
Electric (GE)(Ref A). The Ambassador told Numberi he has encouraged
GE to take a long-range view of Indonesia, and to seek more
opportunities to invest and develop capacity here. Numberi was
especially interested in obtaining technical assistance on urban
planning issues, including public transportation, road load, and
construction of ring roads. He said a big picture strategy would be
very helpful, if GE could provide such a plan.
3. The Ambassador noted the recent helicopter deal between Bell and
an Indonesian state-owned enterprise, which incorporates in-country
fabrication. He stressed that Indonesia has an enormous demand for
all types of aircraft and could work towards developing local
production capacity to meet those needs. Numberi was aware of
Boeing's strong position in the Indonesian market, counting both
Garuda and Lion Air as major clients. The Ambassador emphasized
support for helping Indonesia regain Federal Aviation Authority
Category-1 status to resume flights to the U.S.(Ref B). He noted
that a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) technical
assistance visit is planned for January 2010. Numberi hopes to
travel to the U.S. next year, something he did not have a chance to
do in his previous Ministerial capacity.
HUME
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