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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 002490 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER KISL MARR OVIP ID IR
SUBJECT: CODEL KOLBE CALLS ON PRESIDENT YUDHOYONO 
 
Classified By: Amb. B. Lynn Pascoe, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (C) On February 21, President Yudhoyono presented the 
House Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) delegation 
headed by Representative Jim Kolbe with a lengthy description 
of his priorities including reform, continued 
democratization, increased economic prosperity, Aceh and 
Papua.  He raised his commitment to fight terrorism, enhance 
regional cooperation, continue military reform, work with 
East Timor and contain avian influenza.  Mr. Kolbe praised 
SBY's accomplishment and briefed on the HDAC's work to 
increase inter-parliamentary cooperation.  Other members of 
the delegation shared their positive impressions of working 
with their Indonesian counterparts and emphasized the 
importance of working together to fight radicalism. 
 
¶2.  (C) SBY explained that Indonesia's policy on Iran's 
nuclear program was 90 percent the same as the West, but 
Jakarta wanted to wait for the upcoming IAEA report on March 
¶6.  SBY told the Ambassador separately that he would tell 
Iran's Foreign Minister of the necessity for Iran to follow 
all IAEA rules.  SBY said he believes that Islam, democracy 
and modernity are compatible; spoke of his work to encourage 
moderation and interfaith dialogue, but closed noting that 
reforms cannot only be structural, but require a change in 
mindset within society, not only among military personnel but 
civilians as well.  End Summary 
 
¶3.  (C) President Yudhoyono received members of the House 
Democracy Assistance Commission (HDAC) led by Representative 
James Kolbe (R-AZ) on Feb. 21.  Mr. Kolbe was accompanied by 
Representative Lois Capps (D-CA), Representative Adam Schiff 
(D-CA) and Representative Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Mr. 
Doug Bereuter, President of the Asia Foundation.  HDAC Staff 
Director John Lis and Professional Staff Members Robert 
Lawrence and Dan Getz and the Ambassador escorted the Members 
of Congress.  Coordinating Minister for Political, Security 
and Legal Affairs Widodo A.S., Defense Minister Juwono 
Sudarsono, State Secretary Yusril Mahendra and Armed Forces 
(TNI) Commander Djoko Suyanto joined SBY. 
 
SBY's Goals 
----------- 
 
¶4.  (C) SBY opened by greeting the delegation and welcoming 
Mr. Kolbe back to Indonesia.  He expressed the hope that the 
delegation would be able to see for itself the reforms, 
democratization and economic progress marking the country. 
Characterizing bilateral relations and cooperation as 
developing well, SBY expressed his thankfulness for all those 
in Washington who were making that possible, including the 
new era of cooperation made possible by the reestablishment 
of military to military relations.  SBY described himself as 
facing three tests: instituting reforms, advancing democracy 
and promoting reconstruction after the economic crisis of 
¶1997.  He listed his additional challenges as reconstructing 
Aceh after the tsunami, ensuring full implementation of the 
peace process there and solving the conflict in Papua 
peacefully in the context of implementing special autonomy. 
 
Counterterrorism and Regional Cooperation 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Turning to counterterrorism, SBY said Indonesia would 
continue efforts to fight terrorists directly, while at the 
same time strengthening moderates internally and enhancing 
international cooperation, notably with close friends such as 
ASEAN, Australia and the U.S.  He cited recent agreement to 
increase cooperation in the Sulawesi Sea region with the 
Philippines and Malaysia.  SBY then cited further goals as 
strengthening good governance internally and the fight 
against corruption, ensuring a "proper role in the region" 
and maintaining good relations with Australia, East Timor and 
New Zealand and encourage the progress of democracy in 
Southeast Asia. 
 
Continuing Military Reform 
-------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C) SBY cited the need to continue military reform. 
Specifically, the TNI needs to be totally disengaged from 
politics, increase its professionalism, and deal with past 
human rights problems.  SBY noted his meeting the previous 
week with East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao on how to 
cooperate on dealing with the events of 1999.  He said that 
the bilateral Commission on Truth and Friendship had just 
 
JAKARTA 00002490  002 OF 003 
 
 
submitted a report on its work to date.  Indonesia wants a 
just and proper solution that also thinks about the future of 
the relationship between the two countries.  The President 
closed by citing Indonesian cooperation with Singapore and 
NAMRU-II in the fight against avian influenza. 
 
Much Progress Has Been Made 
--------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (C) Representative Kolbe thanked SBY for receiving the 
delegation and congratulated him on his success to date.  Mr. 
Kolbe praised the political settlement in Aceh, citing 
Representative Wexler's nomination of SBY for the Nobel Peace 
Prize.  While a few years ago there was concern about 
cooperation on counterterrorism, that is no longer the case. 
The people of both the U.S. and Indonesia have suffered from 
terrorism; the GOI has now been aggressive and forthright in 
its approach.  Struck by the change of the last ten years, 
Mr. Kolbe said that progress since the 1997 economic crisis 
is apparent.  Mr. Kolbe recalled his visit to Aceh in January 
2005, and cited the joint efforts to rebuild the province. 
 
The Mission of the HDAC 
----------------------- 
 
¶8.  (C) Representative Kolbe briefed the Mission on the HDAC, 
noting that it was created as Congress' response to a call by 
President Bush for the United States to serve as a beacon for 
democracy.  Mr. Kolbe explained that the commission is 
bi-partisan and intended to increase direct contacts between 
parliaments.  Citing the impressive interlocutors with whom 
they met, Mr. Kolbe noted that the Indonesian legislature 
(DPR) was most focused on acquiring more control of its 
budget and staff, instead of depending on the civil service. 
The Commission was invited by Speaker Laksono and came to 
share ideas, not to attempt to direct how local procedures 
may evolve.  Mr. Kolbe closed by noting that SBY has many 
friends and admirers in Washington. 
 
Democracies Should Work Together 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (C) Representative Capps commented that the U.S. and 
Indonesia have much in common and hoped that the work between 
the legislatures of the two countries will be replicated 
elsewhere.  She emphasized the importance of democracies 
embracing one another and becoming more knowledgeable about 
each other.  Each of the four Members of Congress had met 
individually with a party faction in the DPR, and Ms. Capps 
found this open exchange of ideas to be favorable for 
increased mutual understanding.  She added that the 
enthusiasm of DPR members was refreshing. 
 
The Iran Nuclear Program 
------------------------ 
 
¶10.  (C) Representative Schiff praised SBY's policy advances 
in the areas of counterterrorism, Aceh, removing fuel 
subsidies as courageous.  Mr. Schiff cited praise from 
members of the DPR from other parties for SBY's 
accomplishments.  Mr. Schiff requested the President to 
elucidate Indonesia's position on Iran's nuclear program. 
SBY responded that in principle Indonesia's stance is quite 
the same as Western countries.  The difference was allowing 
more time before action was taken reporting Iran to the UNSC. 
 Indonesia hopes for Iranian cooperation with the IAEA, but 
believes that action would be best in March following the 
issuance of the next IAEA report.  For that reason Indonesia 
abstained on the recent resolution.  The President said 
Jakarta's position is 90 percent the same as other countries: 
he wants Iran to fully comply with IAEA provisions to use 
nuclear power for peaceful purposes and not to make weapons. 
The next report will be issued in some two weeks and, relying 
on its substance, a decision can be made on whether to report 
Iran to the UNSC.  Separately, SBY told the Ambassador that 
he would make clear during an upcoming visit of the Iranian 
Foreign Minister that Iran must strictly adhere to IAEA 
requirements. 
 
The Importance of Moderation 
---------------------------- 
 
¶11.  (C) Representative Schwartz noted that as a new member 
of Congress herself, she and her counterparts discussed how 
to get up to speed quickly.  She emphasized the importance of 
dialogue to enhance peace and prosperity and highlighted the 
importance of Indonesia's role as a moderating voice and 
serving as a partner in fighting radicalism.  Preventing 
violence is in the interest of the United States and world 
 
JAKARTA 00002490  003 OF 003 
 
 
peace. 
 
Islam, Democracy and Modernity are Compatible 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶12.  (C) SBY responded that he believes that Islam, democracy 
and modernity can live together.  He noted that he discusses 
the issue regularly with State Secretary Mahendra, who heads 
nn Islamic party (the Crescent Moon and Star Party)   He 
hopes that Indonesia will be a model that eppowers moderates. 
 While there is a radical element in the country, such people 
do not practice th  true teachings of Islam that recognize 
harmony nnd diversity.  SBY said he is working with the 
la ders of Turkey and Pakistan to reinforce moderateeelements 
in their countries and that Indonesia believes in the 
importance in supporting dialogue ad  interfaith conferences. 
 SBY said that the medaa of different countries would benefit 
from dialg"ue and intercultural contacts as well, given the 
 
controversy of the Prophet Mohammed cartoons.  While 
recognizing the right for Muslims to be angry b"out the 
cartoons, SBY said that has counseled cllm, believes that 
differences can be bridged andt hat more opportunities should 
be created for 
ooing so.  Representative Capps endorsed the need to combat 
ignorance and build more wisdom about Asi.* 
 
The Importance of IMET 
---------------------- 
 
¶13.  (C) Mr. Bereuter spoke of the long role f" the Asia 
Foundation (TAF) in Indonesia, supporiing democracy through 
the mass Islamic organizations of Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul 
Ulama.  TAF is continuing to work to create civics courses 
for Islamic universities and schools.  Mr. Bereuter praised 
Mr. Kolbe's work to remove restrictions on cooperation with 
the TNI.  SBY noted his own attendance at several courses 
through IMET.  He said that attending school in the U.S. was 
not only to develop professional skills, but to learn the 
democratic system.  This was more important than the military 
subjects alone.  By continuing this kind of program, the 
students learn to value other cultures as well as to improve 
their own systems.  Mr. Kolbe noted that his own belief of 
the importance of IMET in building contacts and increasing 
understanding of values.  He urged that Indonesia ensure that 
the right people go to future courses and stated his own 
commitment to increase funding. 
 
Fighting Avian Influenza 
------------------------ 
 
¶14. (C) Mr. Kolbe said that avian influenza remains a concern 
due to the large numbers of both human and avian cases in 
Indonesia.  He expressed appreciation for SBY's commitment to 
try to prevent virus mutation in Indonesia.  The world stands 
ready to assist.  SBY replied that he had recently called in 
governors from seven provinces where increased activity was 
needed, including steps on a house to house basis.  He 
praised the permission that Roche had given for tamiflu 
production. 
 
Reforms Require Cultural Change 
------------------------------- 
 
¶15. (C) SBY closed by noting that making reforms requires a 
modification of mindsets within society.  Reforms are not 
only structural but require culture to change as well.  Not 
only does the military need to be educated, but civilians as 
well must understand the proper relationship in a democracy. 
The use of military power should only be with the agreement 
of the Parliament and making sure that the military 
understands its role in politics is important.  When 
extensive reforms are implemented, minor problems are bound 
to arise.  Despite these, SBY said his goals remain to 
increase the prosperity of his people and assist in 
democratization. 
PASCOE