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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 002914 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/02/2016 
TAGS: PREL PGOV MASS MARR ID
SUBJECT: INDONESIA: ADMIRAL FALLON'S MEETING WITH NEW TNI 
CHIEF DJOKO SUYANTO 
 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Raymond Richhart. Reason 1.4 (B) and ( 
D). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary:  Air Chief Marshall Djoko Suyanto was upbeat 
in his assessment of U.S.-Indonesian military-to-military 
relations with PACOM Commander Admiral Fallon February 23. 
Suyanto described the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) internal 
reforms as &ongoing8 but cautioned that changing TNI,s 
culture and mind-sets would take additional time.  Suyanto 
emphasized the importance of increased U.S. training for TNI 
and pleaded for a more transparent vetting of TNI officers. 
Suyanto said he would like to expedite the supply of spare 
parts for all service programs through the Foreign Military 
Sales (FMS) program.  Admiral Fallon noted Administration 
efforts to increase Foreign Military Financing (FMF) levels 
for Indonesia, and urged Suyanto to consider U.S. training 
for non-commissioned officers.  Admiral Fallon stressed the 
importance of further strengthening cooperation with 
Indonesia to interdict the movement of terrorists to and from 
the Southern Philippines.  End Summary. 
 
Bilateral Relations Dynamic, TNI Reform Continues 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Air Chief Marshall Djoko Suyanto noted with pleasure 
that Admiral Fallon was his first foreign visitor since his 
swearing in as Panglima on February 20.  He observed that the 
U.S.-Indonesia relationship was "dynamic" and the countries 
were "facing good times."  He added that bilateral 
cooperation had steadily improved in the past two to three 
years.  Djoko then launched into a presentation on TNI 
reform, which he described as ongoing.  Already, he said, TNI 
had changed its doctrine in line with its new role in 
Indonesia,s democracy.  TNI no longer had an internal or 
social function (&dwi fungsi8) and was now focused on 
defense and security.  Although progress had been made, it 
was hard to quickly change the &culture" of the 
organization.  TNI had undertaken "many things" to change 
TNI's engagement with Indonesian society.  Emphasizing this 
point, he repeated that, "it is easy to change doctrine but 
it takes time to change minds."  Djoko added that the 
civilian side needed to reform and change how it relates to 
the military as well. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Djoko again emphasized his satisfaction that the 
U.S. had made the policy decision to lift remaining 
restrictions on military cooperation.  He said he 
particularly valued the training opportunities the U.S. had 
offered.  Training in the U.S. not only developed the skills 
of the TNI participants, it &widened minds.8  Djoko added 
that IMET courses provided valuable experience with U.S. 
society, with lasting positive benefits.  Djoko concluded 
that regional security was a central TNI concern and he 
believed Indonesia could play a role in creating &peaceful 
conditions in the region." 
 
Moving the Relationship Forward 
------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) Admiral Fallon congratulated Djoko on his assignment, 
thanking him for agreeing to meet so soon after his change of 
command.  He agreed that the bilateral relationship is very 
important, at both the military-to-military and 
government-to-government levels.  The Admiral recalled his 
promise during his May 2005 visit to work hard to have 
Congressional restrictions lifted.  Although it had not 
proven an easy task, because some in Washington had different 
views, the highest levels of the Administration had 
confidence in Indonesia.  This decision had been a signal to 
engage and PACOM is prepared to do so to the best of its 
ability.  The Admiral told Djoko it was important to 
demonstrate to both Americans and Indonesians a mutual 
commitment to moving the relationship forward. 
 
Greater Transparency in Vetting Procedures 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶5. (C) ACM Djoko said he had participated in President 
Yudhoyono's recent meeting with Representative Jim Kolbe and 
would also be present when the President received Senator 
Feingold (septel).  He observed that many in Congress 
appeared to have recognized Indonesia,s recent achievements 
at the governmental level, and that there was support for 
 
JAKARTA 00002914  002 OF 003 
 
 
renewed military cooperation.  However, Djoko recognized that 
restrictions remained in place that prevented certain 
officers, especially from the Army, from receiving training. 
He suggested that it would be helpful to TNI in selecting 
officers if it had a list from the U.S. of officers who are 
prohibited from receiving U.S. training.  Admiral Fallon 
replied that human rights vetting was a requirement for all 
countries but suggested that the question be further 
discussed with Embassy officers. 
 
Expediting Purchases Through FMS ) U.S. Priorities 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶6. (C) Djoko said he would like to expedite the supply of 
spare parts for all service programs through the Foreign 
Military Sales (FMS) program.  He said this was his second 
priority, his first priority remaining the welfare of TNI 
personnel.  Admiral Fallon replied that there remained 
several key agreements that needed to be reached in order to 
have a fully functioning military relationship.  The most 
immediate requirement would be for an Access and Cross 
Servicing Agreement (ACSA) that would help expedite various 
transfers of parts and services.  A second requirement would 
be for the negotiation and conclusion of a Status of Forces 
Agreement (SOFA) in view of the anticipated increase in the 
number and frequency of U.S. military forces visiting 
Indonesia.  Finally, the U.S. also had a strong interest in 
concluding an Article 98 Agreement.  Djoko appeared 
unfamiliar with these issues, and did not respond. 
 
Djoko Yet to Set Priorities 
--------------------------- 
 
¶7. (C) Admiral Fallon asked Djoko to describe his priorities 
for TNI, in addition to increased IMET and assistance in 
obtaining spare parts he had already mentioned.  The Admiral 
noted that he was sensitive to overloading TNI with too many 
exercises.  Consequently, knowing his priorities would help 
PACOM design an appropriate assistance program.  Not 
surprisingly given the short time he has been in his new 
position, Djoko replied that he would like to work with the 
Defense Attache Office on the details.  However, his initial 
reaction was that the Air Force FMS program to obtain C-130 
parts was certainly a priority because of the plane's utility 
to the three services and civilian agencies.  He added that 
the current budget for TNI provides only a five to ten 
percent increase, which is not enough to maintain equipment 
and improve readiness.  He also said he would consult with 
the service chiefs to prioritize TNI needs. 
 
The FMF Assistance Cycle 
------------------------ 
 
¶8. (C) Admiral Fallon explained to Djoko that the 
Administration wanted to increase FMF monies but the budget 
process in Washington created a two to three year lag time 
for obtaining new funds.  The Administration would attempt to 
accelerate this cycle.  He explained that Congress had 
specified priorities for the first use of funds, and FY06 FMF 
would be spent on maritime security.  He asked Djoko if he 
was in agreement with this prioritization, and he said he 
was.  The Admiral asked about Indonesia,s program to install 
a series of coastal radars in the Malacca Strait, and asked 
whether the U.S. could assist.  Maritime security is a 
priority for the U.S.  Djoko replied that in the context of 
the CT effort, he would also seek assistance from the U.S. to 
improve the tactics, technology and skills of Indonesian 
Special Forces.  Admiral Fallon agreed and took the 
opportunity to express his congratulations for the recent 
takedown of JI bomb maker Azahari (who died in a police 
operation in November). 
 
Training for Non-Commissioned Officers 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶9. (C) Admiral Fallon proposed to Djoko that the U.S. 
establish a program to train non-commissioned officers, 
explaining that the U.S. had found that well-trained 
non-commissioned officers allowed U.S. forces to do more with 
fewer people.  The Admiral introduced USMC Sergeant Major 
Bill Kinney, PACOM Senior Enlisted Leader, and offered that 
the U.S. could work with Indonesia to identify training 
programs for enlisted personnel.  Djoko was very receptive to 
 
JAKARTA 00002914  003 OF 003 
 
 
the proposal. 
 
GOI Success in Aceh 
------------------- 
 
¶10. (C) Admiral Fallon praised the GOI and TNI for reaching a 
peaceful resolution of the insurgency in Aceh.  He noted that 
he would take Senator Feingold to Aceh February 25 and 
thought the visit would demonstrate that situation in Aceh 
was far more positive than generally recognized in 
Washington.  Djoko acknowledged that reconstruction in Aceh 
was proceeding slower than planned.  However, the 
implementation of the Helsinki accords was going well and any 
security problems in the province are now criminal 
activities, not remnants of the insurgency.  Djoko assured 
Admiral Fallon that TNI would fully support the GOI-GAM MOU, 
and reported that TNI had offered troops for rehabilitation 
and recovery programs, but the government had not taken up 
TNI's offer. 
 
Concerns About Terrorist Transits 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶11. (C) ACM Djoko raised his concerns regarding transits by 
terrorists to and from Mindanao.  Admiral Fallon replied that 
the U.S. was working closely with the Philippine Armed Forces 
(AFP) to build capacity.  As the AFP increased pressure on 
the JI and ASG terrorist groups, the U.S. was concerned that 
the terrorists would seek to escape to neighboring countries. 
 The U.S. would continue to work closely with Indonesia to 
address the internal terrorist threat as well as the transit 
routes.  Djoko agreed that TNI had an important role to play 
in securing the sea-lanes in the Sulawesi sea and indicated 
he was prepared to work to this end with the U.S. 
 
Return of U.S. Hospital Ship to Indonesia 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶12. (C) Admiral Fallon told Djoko that he intended to deploy 
the USNS Mercy to Indonesia and other countries in the 
region, probably in July or August.  He asked for TNI support 
for the Mercy,s medical programs both with coordination and 
with personnel contributions.  He added that medical NGO's 
would be invited to use the ship as a platform as was the 
case in the tsunami relief operation.  Suyanto replied that 
the TNI-Navy had a medical/social program that perhaps could 
be used to support the Mercy,s work.  Admiral Fallon again 
urged Djoko to take advantage of this opportunity to send a 
positive signal to the Indonesian people of the contributions 
made by TNI forces. 
 
Regional Cooperation on Maritime Security 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶13. (C) Admiral Fallon pointed out to Djoko that considerable 
progress had been made among Indonesia, Malaysia and 
Singapore on security in the Malacca strait.  However, 
Indonesia had not yet signed on to the agreement implementing 
the &Eyes in the Sky8 surveillance program initiated by 
Malaysia.  Djoko replied that Indonesia would soon offer some 
suggested modification that would make the proposed 
operations more joint and to improve naval and airborne 
cooperation among the three countries.  He also said that 
Thailand was invited to participate.  Admiral Fallon said 
that plans to expand coastal radars was also a good step and 
said he would appreciate a briefing on Indonesian plans. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶14. (C) Although Djoko took command only a few days prior, he 
appeared very well briefed and ready to engage on the central 
issues in the relationship.  He also clearly values the new 
opportunity to develop our military-to-military ties and 
would appear to have the leadership qualities necessary to 
push the TNI in that direction.  His close ties to the 
President will also strengthen his hand in carrying the TNI 
reform program forward.  The challenge for the U.S. will be 
to find the resources needed to move smartly forward with our 
own programs, essential contributors to TNI,s own efforts. 
 
15.(U) Admiral Fallon has cleared this message. 
AMSELEM