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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000200 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NSC PASS TO DES WALTON 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2020 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR AMGT ASEAN XC ID
SUBJECT: GOI CAUTIOUS ON US PARTICIPATION IN EAST ASIA 
SUMMIT 
 
JAKARTA 00000200  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Political/Economic Counselor Peter Haas for reasons 1.4( 
b&d) 
 
 ¶1. (C) SUMMARY:  In a February 12 meeting with EAP DAS Scot 
Marciel, Indonesian Foreign Ministry (KEMLU) Secretary 
General Imron Cotan conveyed the Indonesian government's 
(GOI) hesitancy to endorse U.S. participation in the East 
Asia Summit (EAS) at this time, because of the likelihood 
that this would lead to interest by other parties such as 
Russia, and based on the GOI's conviction that EAS should be 
cultivated in its current configuration before any expansion. 
 Cotan welcomed in principle U.S. interest as an endorsement 
of EAS viability as a regional organization, and committed to 
discuss U.S. participation with other ASEAN members.  Cotan 
expressed support for a U.S. Permanent Mission to ASEAN in 
Jakarta and said that KEMLU would work to help facilitate 
privileges and immunities for the Mission.  End summary. 
 
EAST ASIA SUMMIT 
---------------- 
 
¶2. (C) In a friendly one-hour meeting with KEMLU Secretary 
General Imron Cotan, Indonesia's Ambassador-Designate to 
Beijing, EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Scot Marciel said the 
U.S. wished to solicit quietly and informally the views of 
our friends in the region regarding possible U.S. 
participation in the East Asia Summit (EAS).  Cotan responded 
that Indonesia had anticipated U.S. interest and that KEMLU 
was discussing the subject of expanding participation in EAS 
beyond its current "ASEAN 6" (China, Japan, ROK, India, 
Australia, New Zealand) configuration.  Cotan averred that 
the "general feeling" was that the current configuration of 
EAS should be stabilized before opening up to new 
participants. There was no need for others to "join", 
according to Cotan, since EAS was not an organization per se, 
but rather a "mechanism" for regional leaders to address 
certain issues "without strings". 
 
¶3. (C) DAS Marciel noted that other ASEAN member-governments 
with whom he had consulted responded positively to U.S. 
interest.  Cotan emphasized that the GOI had not taken a 
definitive position on U.S. participation and would consult 
with friends in the region.  He pointed out that U.S. 
participation would affect other countries' desire to 
participate, noting specifically that Russia had accused 
Indonesia of preventing it from becoming engaged in EAS. 
 
¶4. (C) Citing the Secretary's January 12 speech at the 
East-West Center, DAS Marciel explained that U.S. interest in 
exploring engagement with EAS was based on our desire as a 
Pacific nation to be part of the discussion on regional 
architecture.  Cotan said that he viewed increased U.S. 
interest as a positive development and an endorsement of EAS 
as a "serious partner".  Even if the U.S. did not become a 
participant in the EAS in the near term, he suggested, it 
might be possible as a start for the U.S. to engage as an 
observer or invited guest.  Cotan committed to consider U.S. 
expressions of interest seriously and make a policy 
recommendation accordingly. 
 
US MISSION TO ASEAN 
------------------- 
 
¶5. (C) Cotan said increased U.S. attention to ASEAN was 
welcome and that KEMLU was "elated" about the U.S. intent to 
open a standalone Permanent Mission to ASEAN and send an 
 
JAKARTA 00000200  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Ambassador.  In reply to DAS Marciel's request for KEMLU 
assistance in granting privileges and immunities for the new 
Mission, Cotan said that in general the Mission could expect 
to enjoy the same privileges and immunities as the U.S. 
Embassy to Indonesia, and that KEMLU would try to push for a 
resolution as quickly as possible. 
 
¶6. (U) This message was sent by the Resident Representative 
of the Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs.  DAS Marciel did not 
have the opportunity to clear this cable. 
HUME