VZCZCXRO7527
PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHJA #1994/01 3381006
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 041006Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4002
INFO RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS COLL
RUEKJCS/DOD WASHDC
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 001994
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, OES/STC, S/ECC, OES/EGC, AND R/ECA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID KGHG SENV PREL ID
SUBJECT: Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Supports NAMRU
Successor and U.S. Climate Policy
1. (SBU) Summary: New Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Agung
Laksono told Ambassador Hume December 3 that he supports the
finalization of details to form a joint biomedical research center
to replace the Naval Medical Research Unit-2 (NAMRU2) before the end
of March. Laksono also confirmed that Indonesia agrees with the
U.S. view that all nations must take action on climate change. He
called for U.S. partnership to support Indonesia's domestic climate
efforts, including on forestry and peat lands. Laksono urged U.S.
companies to use their corporate social responsibility funds to
advance Indonesia's climate and Millennium Development Goals.
Ambassador Hume highlighted USG efforts on education and pressed for
conclusion of the S Agreement. Laksono said he would personally
focus on culture and welcomed learning more about intentions for the
TV hit "Survivor" to film in Indonesia. End Summary.
Laksono: NAMRU2 Conversion to IUC - let's enhance it
--------------------------------------------- -------
2. (SBU) Ambassador Hume stressed the need to conclude an agreement
to establish the Indonesia-U.S. Center for Biomedical and Public
Health Research (IUC) as a way of solving sensitive NAMRU-2 issues.
He explained that, while the U.S. had not pressed for formal
negotiations in the weeks after the installation of the new Minister
of Health, it was now time to find a solution. Ambassador Hume said
both sides must reach agreement on a new memorandum of understanding
by March 2010 in advance of President Obama's expected visit.
Laksono agreed, stating that NAMRU-2's work was good, but that we
now have an opportunity to enhance it.
On the same page on Climate Change
----------------------------------
3. (SBU) Laksono, who also serves as Vice Chair of the National
Climate Change Council (President Yudhoyono is the Chair), said that
Indonesia agrees with the U.S. that all countries must make
commitments on emissions reductions. Ambassador Hume highlighted
POTUS' recent meeting with President Yudhoyono at APEC when they
discussed advancing multilateral negotiations and bilateral
partnerships, especially on peat lands and forestry. Laksono
welcomed this cooperation and noted that Indonesia is planning many
bilateral meetings in Copenhagen.
Please encourage U.S. companies on CSR
--------------------------------------
4. (SBU) Laksono expressed hope that U.S. companies would
participate in Indonesia's social welfare efforts through their
corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, especially in
climate change and on the Millennium Development Goals. Currently
14 percent of Indonesians fall below the poverty line, a number the
government wants to halve by 2015. Laksono said Indonesia can't do
it alone. Ambassador Hume expressed confidence that U.S. companies
would answer the call, noting specific activities by Chevron in
Aceh, Conoco in Solo and Klaten, and British Petroleum (half
American) in Papua. He also briefed on the ongoing effort to rally
U.S. information technology companies to equip Indonesian schools
with U.S. technology.
Education and S Agreement
---------------------------
5. (SBU) Ambassador described USAID's $40 million per year programs
to support education, including developing university links between
the two countries. He also detailed USG partnerships through the
American-Indonesia Education Foundation (AMINEF) to increase the
number of Indonesia students studying in the U.S. and vice versa.
He noted the July visit to Indonesia of education leaders of 30 U.S.
institutions, and the 430,000 hits on AMINEF's website as evidence
of increased action and public interest on education opportunities.
Turning to science and technology agreement negotiations, Ambassador
Hume urged Minister Laksono to encourage the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs to conclude the text with us.
Culture - "Eat, Drink, Pray" and "Survivor"
-------------------------------------------
6. (SBU) In contrast to film "A Year of Living Dangerously" of
several years ago, Ambassador Hume noted the opportunity to shift
worldwide perception of Indonesia that the upcoming major film and
TV productions can bring. Specifically, he discussed the recent
successful filming in Bali of "Eat, Drink, Pray" starring Julia
JAKARTA 00001994 002 OF 002
Roberts, and the intention of TV producers to film the next
"Survivor" series in Komodo, Indonesia. Laksono said that he
personally would work on cultural issues in Indonesia and welcomed
visiting Survivor producers to brief his ministry on their future
plans.
Hume