Jakarta – An alleged US diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks on Friday reveals that the US is seeking to approach Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty M. Natalegawa and recruit him as a partner and advocate.

The cables, submitted from Jakarta to Washington in October 2009, record summary reports on the appointment of Cabinet ministers by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his second term as president. The summary is titled "Promising Allies for Comprehensive Partnership in Indonesia's New Cabinet".

The first summary says President Yudhoyono's 37 new Cabinet picks show a realistic leader who prioritizes the economy, environment, health and international relations, while trying to build political consensus for his policies. It further argues that the new Cabinet contains potential allies for progress on US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership goals.

"Mission suggests early and vigorous engagement with the new Cabinet to cultivate the ministers as partners and advocates," it says.

In particular to the appointment of Natalegawa as foreign minister, the summary recommends US State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton to directly call Marty and congratulate him personally "as soon as possible". Another recommendation made was for the secretary to send a formal letter of congratulations requesting a meeting on the margins of APEC in November in order "to cultivate FM Natalegawa as a partner and advocate".