Cables posted by WikiLeaks show that China and the US recognize Indonesia’s emerging importance as the largest economy in Southeast Asia and its role in regional stability.
A new role for Indonesia has emerged in US diplomatic cables published by the website WikiLeaks.
Diplomats from both superpowers and other nations reportedly talked of a greater role for the Indonesia to engage Myanmar’s military dictatorship.
Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew told US diplomats that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono might potentially serve as an “interlocutor” to engage Myanmar, according to a cable from the US Embassy in Singapore posted to WikiLeaks.
“As a former general, [Yu-dhoyono] might be able to meet with Senior General Than Shwe
and get him to listen,” Lee reportedly said.
“Furthermore, [Yudhoyono] is ‘keen to play the role of peacemaker,’ but the challenge would be getting someone who is not too close to the United States to ask him to do it. Lee said that Vietnam was a possibility,” according to the cable.
Yudhoyono did exchange several letters with Than Shwe and sent a special envoy to cement ties with the junta during the period.
The President also refrained from criticizing Myanmar’s military leaders on the poor condition of human rights in the country, firmly believing that Indonesia and ASEAN should continue to encourage the junta to speed democratization efforts.
In a cable sent by the US Embassy in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry Asian affairs director
general Yang Yanyi told a US diplomat that China was encouraged by the US’ decision to engage in a direct dialog with Myanmar and expand humanitarian assistance to the regime.
Yang said China was also encouraged by the US’ call for close cooperation on Myanmar with Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore as well as China and India, WikiLeaks reported.
Another former Chinese foreign ministry Asian affairs director general, Hu Zhengyue, was quoted as saying that “the US and China must work together to promote democratization, economic growth and counterterrorism in Indonesia”, according to a cable posted to WikiLeaks.
Presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah refused to comment on the cables.
“We cannot comment on the accuracy of the information,” he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
In a cable sent by the US Embassy in Beijing, a US diplomat told Hu that Beijing should join Washington in pressing for better governance and accountability in the Indonesian Military (TNI).
“Transparency in the TNI would reinforce and encourage transparency in Indonesia’s government and public affairs in general, essential to attracting much-needed foreign investment,” according to a cable posted to WikiLeaks.
“We must also press for reforms in labor and investment laws, as well as judicious enforcement of
those laws.”
Indonesian Defense Ministry spokesman I Wayan Midhio denied allegations of foreign influence on TNI reforms.
“The reform we are doing in the TNI [reflects] the nation’s true commitment. There’s no pressure or whatsoever from outside,” he told the Post.
Source: WikiLeaks
