VZCZCXRO4020
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBD #0185/01 2160842
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040842Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4602
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000185 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR H AND EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG. 
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO SENATOR NELSON 
 
E.O.: 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON ETRD BX
SUBJECT: SCENESETTER FOR CODEL NELSON VISIT TO BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 
 
SUMMARY 
--------- 
¶1. (SBU) Senator Nelson: Your August 16-18 visit to Brunei comes at 
an opportune moment.  Our bilateral relationship with Brunei 
continues to improve as The Government of Brunei (GoB), lead by His 
Majesty the Sultan, seeks closer ties with the United States. 
Particular attention is focused on expanding military to military 
cooperation, increasing the numbers of Bruneians studying in the 
United States, strengthening law enforcement cooperation especially 
in the areas of counter terrorism and transnational crime, and 
economic diversification that still protects Brunei's impressive 
natural wonders.  While Brunei is a moderate Muslim nation, issues 
of religious freedom and lack of representational government remain. 
 Your visit coincides with annual U.S. and Bruneian joint military 
exercises.  We welcome your visit as a strong sign of the U.S 
engagement with Brunei. End Summary 
 
BRUNEI'S FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES 
---------------------------------- 
¶2. (SBU) Above all, Brunei seeks a balanced and cautious approach in 
its foreign policy. As a small, but wealthy nation, Brunei is 
friendly but deliberate in bilateral and regional relations.  Brunei 
is an ASEAN member and is a close adherent to the "consensus" 
decision making model within the ASEAN forum.  The same can be said 
for Brunei's approach within other regional and international 
organizations.  Brunei is a moderating voice with the Organization 
of Islamic Conference (OIC), reflecting His Majesty, the Sultan's 
views on Islam and its role in the political spectrum. The Sultan 
has close personal ties with leaders of many Arab Gulf countries. 
Brunei normally does not take a leadership role in regional or 
international organizations, preferring to "work within" the 
organizations. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Engagement with the United States is growing as Brunei 
seeks to diversify from the traditional ties with the United 
Kingdom. Bruneian leaders have repeatedly stated they respect the 
U.S role in Asia and welcome constructive engagement in Southeast 
Asia.  Exposure to the United States remains limited for many 
Bruneians, including senior Government of Brunei (GoB) officials. 
The GoB is encouraging, with Embassy support, more military to 
military engagements, strong educational ties, economic 
diversification, and environmental protection.  GoB sees the U.S. as 
a leader and innovator in all of these areas. 
 
MILITARY TIES AND COUNTER TERRORISM 
------------------------------------ 
¶4. (SBU) Brunei values the military ties it shares with the U.S. 
Through joint exercises such as Cooperation and Readiness Afloat 
Training (CARAT) and Southeast Asian Cooperation Against Terrorism 
(SEACAT), Brunei and the US are forging closer military to military 
cooperation. Your visit coincides with SEACAT, which will focus on 
ship board counter terrorism exercises and training.  Brunei's 
military continues to focus on developing its capabilities, 
especially in the areas of disaster relief and peace keeping 
operations.  Brunei participates in peacekeeping operations in the 
Philippines and Lebanon. Brunei has cadets in both West Point and 
the U.S. Air Force Academy.  Brunei's junior officer corps sees the 
U.S. Military's training as a model and Brunei's Ministry of Defense 
is incorporating aspects of U.S. Military training into its 
curriculum. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Brunei's military, through SEACAT and other exercises is 
seeking to expand their counter terrorism capabilities. Maritime 
security remains a key concern, in conjunction with protecting 
strategic resources such as the oil and gas platforms. The ability 
to protect territorial waters is an area of primary focus for 
Brunei. 
 
LAW ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION AND COUNTER TERRORISM 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
¶6. (SBU) Embassy Brunei, with the support of U.S. law enforcement 
agencies, is expanding outreach and cooperation with Brunei's 
civilian law enforcement. Brunei is an active participant in 
trainings offered at the International Law Enforcement Academy 
(ILEA) in Bangkok.  U.S. civilian law enforcement agencies have 
increased specialized trainings to a number of Bruneian civilian law 
enforcement agencies, as part of Ambassador Todd and the U.S. 
embassy's outreach program.  Maritime security, as with the Bruneian 
military, is a paramount concern.  While enhanced training is 
beneficial, increased information sharing will bolster our efforts 
not only in combating transnational crime but in ongoing counter 
terrorism programs. 
 
ECONOMY 
-------- 
¶7. (SBU) Brunei's wealth is overwhelming generated by its oil and 
natural gas reserves.  The public sector accounts for almost three 
quarters of direct employment and drives much of the economy through 
government expenditures. Brunei is seeking economic diversification 
 
BANDAR SER 00000185  002 OF 002 
 
 
but progress has been slow to date.  Brunei continues to seek to 
specialize in certain niche industries, including Islamic finance. 
The development of new oil and gas reserves could stunt further 
diversification efforts but Brunei's leaders remain publicly 
committed to seeking a more diverse economy. Brunei views the U.S, 
especially in education, as leader and is increasing the number of 
Brunei students studying in the U.S.  GoB officials believe exposure 
to the U.S. education system will bolster innovation and creating 
thinking amongst young Bruneians and encourage the development of 
new industries within Brunei. 
 
ENVIRONMENT 
----------- 
¶8. (SBU) While Brunei derives its wealth from its natural resources; 
it has also sought to protect them. Over 70 percent of the country 
is currently preserved from development. Much of this is under the 
Heart of Borneo (HoB) initiative. Brunei's efforts under Heart of 
Borneo are focused on conservation.  The areas under conservation 
are remote and difficult to access and the conservation plans hope 
to ensure they are maintain in this pristine state.  Brunei also is 
exploring ways to increase development of other energy sources, such 
as solar power.  GoB officials are working to promote ecotourism as 
a way to diversify the economy. However, tourism infrastructure, as 
well as the ecotourism industry, is still developing. 
 
POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT 
--------------------- 
¶9. (SBU) Brunei is an absolute monarchy. Nevertheless, there is a 
Legislative Council that meets yearly to discuss various matters, 
mostly focused on the Government's budget. There are local 
elections, however many of the Legislative Council members are 
appointed by the Sultan to represent various Brunei communities. 
There is one official political party, the National Development 
Party (NDP), which pledges full support to the Sultan.  The Sultan 
has broad powers under the Internal Security Act put into effect in 
¶1983. Brunei adheres to a Malay Islamic Monarchy belief system, 
which promotes moderate Islamic values within a monarchial political 
system. The GoB speaks out against religious extremism and religious 
freedom is part of Brunei's constitution. However, there have been 
some restrictions placed on non-Islamic faiths.  The press is self 
censored but open and accommodating to US Embassy public diplomacy 
efforts. 
 
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT 
------------------- 
¶10. (SBU) Many years have passed since a CODEL visited Brunei. 
Bruneian officials greatly value visits from senior government 
officials, especially the United States. Your visit, as noted, 
reaffirms our engagement with Brunei. Your meetings with His 
Majesty, the Sultan, the Foreign Minister, Prince Mohamed, and the 
Crown Prince will be cordial and productive. The friendship of the 
United States is valued. The royal family, senior GoB officials, and 
any Bruneian you speak with will appreciate the opportunity to meet 
you and Mrs. Nelson. The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is small, 
compact, and easily explored in a day. Brunei is an oasis of calm 
and Bruneians enjoy a high standard of living and security. You can 
expect exceptional hospitality both from your Bruneian and American 
hosts. We truly appreciate your visit. 
 
MCINTYRE