The delegations of the Republic of Indonesia and the United States of America, headed respectively by Director-General for Defense Strategy Major General Dadi Susanto and Principal Director for Asian and Pacific Affairs Brigadier General John Allen held the third Indonesia-United States Security Dialogue (The Dialogue) in Jakarta, 2-3 August 2005.

The Dialogue was established by the Presidents of Indonesia and the United States in Washington D.C. on September 19, 2001. President George W. Bush and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in their meeting in Washington D.C. on 25 May 2005, agreed that normal military relations would be in the interest of both countries and undertook to continue working toward that objective. During the meeting the two Presidents welcomed the resumption of Indonesia’s participation in International Military Education and Training (IMET) as an important step. They also looked forward to the convening of future Indonesia-United States Security Dialogues and called for further meetings of the United States-Indonesia Bilateral Defense Discussions (USIBDD). They also praised the excellent humanitarian cooperation between the US military and the Indonesian military during the tsunami emergency relief operations in Aceh and Nias. President Yudhoyono reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthen Indonesia’s military reform, civilian control and accountability.

The delegations reaffirmed the significance of the Dialogue in providing a venue for government officials to exchange views on a wide range of security and defense issues. The third Dialogue included presentations on the regional and global security situation, national security situations, military role in disaster relief management, counter-terrorism, maritime security and US-Indonesia military/defense relations, including the International Military Education and Training (IMET), Foreign Military Financing Program (FMF) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

Minister for Defense Juwono Sudarsono in his capacity as the official host of the third Dialogue, opened the Dialogue. In his opening statement, he welcomed the convening of the third Dialogue and stressed the significance of the Dialogue in providing a forum to express views and cultivate new ideas in addressing the security challenges and to further strengthen the bilateral defense cooperation of both countries.

US Ambassador to Indonesia, Lynn Pascoe stated that the Dialogue presents a venue for both delegations to work together in a critical time for the military relationship between the two countries. The US for its part will endeavor to expand the military-military relationship in view of on going TNI reforms and continuing cooperation.

Both delegations reiterated the importance of continuing the Dialogue as a regular forum for discussing a broad range of security issues central to both countries. Delegations concurred that the Dialogue provides a key role in confidence-building measure, enhancing civil-military relations, strengthening regional peace and stability, and furthering bilateral defense/military cooperation.

The delegations reviewed the current international and Asia-Pacific security situation. They stressed the need to continue the fight against terrorism and other trans-national threats. They underscored the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue. Both delegations, among other issues, discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the latest developments in the Arab-Israeli conflict and the development of democracy in Iraq. The delegations also discussed security issues in the South East Asia sub-region.

The delegations made presentations on certain aspects of national security strategy. The US presentation addressed the US report on China’s military power and US concept on regional maritime security. The Indonesian presentation addressed Indonesia’s efforts in combatting terrorism, including trans-national organized crimes such as sea piracy and arms smuggling.

The US delegation applauded the exceptional cooperation between the US military and the Indonesian military throughout the tsunami emergency relief operations in Aceh. The US’s delegation affirmed that cooperation in enhancing Indonesian military capabilities in disaster relief would continue. The US delegation commended the continuing efforts of the Indonesian Government, especially the TNI, in military reforms. The US praised the TNI’s continuing commitment to neutrality and professionalism during the elections in Indonesia, including elections of local government leaders. The US also expressed appreciation for Government of Indonesia’s cooperation in the continuing investigation in the Timika murders.

The Minister of Communication and Information of Indonesia, Sofyan A. Djalil, in his capacity as a key member of the Indonesian delegation to the Aceh Peace Talks briefed the delegations on the constructive progress reached in the latest round of the Talks held on 12-17 July 2005 in Helsinki, Finland. The US delegation congratulated the Indonesian Government’s efforts to resolve the Aceh conflict through successful negotiations, and took note of the TNI’s important role in and support for implementation of the future peace agreement. The Indonesian delegation also presented the role of TNI in disaster relief and conveyed the gratitude of the Government and people of Indonesia to the US presence and contribution to the tsunami affected regions.

The US delegation applauded Indonesia as a key partner in war against terrorism in its efforts in apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators of acts of terror in Indonesia. Both delegations discussed their respective counter-terrorism efforts and agreed on the need to promote and protect human rights. Both delegations agreed that the application of counter-terrorism policy may differ in different countries.

Both delegations welcomed the successful convening of the fifth United States-Indonesia Bilateral Defense Discussion held on 20-22 June 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The USIBDD and its Military Working Groups provide both military an opportunity to discuss security and cooperation issues, inter alia, training and exercise, intelligence, communication, logistics, defense science and technology and educational exchanges. Both delegations are in agreement of the terms of reference of the United States-Indonesia Bilateral Defense Discussion. Both delegations agreed to finalize and sign the terms of reference of the USIBDD prior to the end of 2005. Moreover, both delegations reaffirmed the important link between the IUSSD and the USIBDD in furthering bilateral defense cooperation. Delegations agreed to explore options for the USIBDD to inform the IUSSD on its progress.

Both delegations agreed to further promote greater exchanges and consultations in order to enhance confidence and trust between the two Governments on security issues.

Both delegations reaffirmed their commitment to the longstanding friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia as enunciated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President George W. Bush and to expand and deepen cooperation based on partnership and shared values of democracy and pluralism of the two nations. Furthermore, the US delegation reaffirmed that it supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Indonesia and does not support any secessionist efforts.

In closing, both delegations made clear that they value the Dialogue as an important pillar in relations between Indonesia and United States. Both sides appreciated the open and constructive spirit shown by the participants throughout the Dialogue. The delegations agreed to hold a fourth Dialogue in 2006 in the United States and agreed the additional contacts between their civilian Ministers and their representatives should continue.

Jakarta, 3 August 2005