Cablegate: Ensuring the Success of the Coral Triangle Initiative: The

VZCZCXRO2038
RR RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #1880 2830839
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 090839Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0286
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 3133
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 3259
RUEHKL/AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR 2513
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 4031
RUEHDT/AMEMBASSY DILI 0986

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001880

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR U/S FORE, U/S DOBRIANSKY, U/S GLASSMAN, A/S MCMURRAY

WHITE HOUSE FOR CEQ CONNAUGHTON
NOAA FOR ADMINISTRATOR LAUTENBACHER
STATE ALSO FOR EAP/MTS AND OES

E.O. 12598: N/A
TAGS: SENV KGHG EAID AORC EFIS PREL ID
SUBJECT: ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF THE CORAL TRIANGLE INITIATIVE: THE
ROLE OF THE OKEANOS EXPLORER

REF: A) STATE 103448
B) JAKARTA 1766

1. Summary. Indonesia will make or break the Coral Triangle
Initiative (CTI) and Embassy Jakarta is committed to providing the
political and public diplomacy support requested in ref A. The
reason is simple: President Yudhoyono launched the CTI and Indonesia
represents more than 50 percent of the Coral Triangle region. It is
in our interest to help him. We are focused on the success of the
May 11-15, 2009 World Oceans Conference (WOC) and the CTI Summit in
Manado, Indonesia. These events offer a unique diplomatic
opportunity to advance the long-term environmental and scientific
agendas of the CTI, both in Indonesia and the wider Coral Triangle
region. A key element to jumpstart scientific collaboration would
be a research voyage by NOAA's newest exploration and research
vessel Okeanos Explorer timed to coincide with the WOC and CTI
Summit. End Summary.

Research and Capacity Building: Key to CTI Success
--------------------------------------------- -----

2. In order to be a success, the Coral Triangle Initiative must
help local scientists develop their scientific skills and build
their capacity to conduct innovative research. We have, working
collaboratively with NOAA and the Indonesian Ministry of Marine
Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), identified three priority areas for
capacity building and research in the MMAF that relate directly to
the five CTI goals. Building Indonesian capacity in these areas
(management of marine protected areas, fisheries management, and
methods to effectively combat illegal fishing) is crucial to
achieving CTI's regional goals. USAID Indonesia is already funding
an assessment of the MMAF that will include an analysis about how
the MMAF can best meet its broad range of responsibilities under the
CTI. USAID Indonesia is considering additional resources for
capacity building, including for activities agreed upon by NOAA and
USAID.

3. The Okeanos Explorer's voyage would be an integral part of this
capacity building and would mark the kick-off of a long-term
collaborative research partnership between NOAA and countries in the
region, beginning with Indonesia. The ship would also collect
critical scientific information to support the Coral Triangle
Initiative. We also plan to use the Okeanos Explorer's voyage to
demonstrate that the CTI can attract public-private partnerships;
private sector contributions will be an important element of the
CTI's long-term sustainability.

Cultivating Long-Term Political and Public Support
--------------------------------------------- -----

4. Our support for the Coral Triangle Initiative as well as our
active participation in the World Oceans Conference will be widely
recognized by marine experts as a commitment to sustainable ocean
management. With projected funding of $32 million over five years,
the U.S. is the largest bilateral donor to CTI. But numbers aside,
it is essential for the U.S. to work bilaterally and regionally to
build and sustain enduring political commitment to--and public
support for--the CTI that will withstand changes in administrations
and government priorities.

5. A visit by the Okeanos Explorer would be a visible symbol of our
support to the Coral Triangle Initiative. The Okeanos Explorer will
enable researchers and the public to view undersea features never
before seen by man, thereby generating excitement in Southeast Asia
and the United States. It would shine a spotlight on the U.S.
government's commitment to environmental issues.

HUME

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