Indonesia demands explanation after us refuses entry to military chief

Jakarta (ANTARA News)22/10/2017

- Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the US Government for clarification following a report of Indonesian National Military Commander Commander General TNI Gatot Nurmantyo being refused to enter the US territory.

"Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC has sent a diplomatic note to the US Department of State to ask for clarification for yesterdays incident," Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir said here on Sunday.

Nurmantyo and wife along with some delegation members had had their US visas issued and wanted to visit US to meet an invitation from the US Chairman of the Joint Chief, Marine General Francis Dunford Jr to attend the Chiefs of Defence Conference of Country Violence Extremism Organizations to be held from October 23-24 in Washington DC.

However, General Gatot Nurmantyo was reported to be halted by the US Custom and Border Protection before boarding to a commercial flight in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport of Jakarta on Saturday.

It was reported that General Nurmantyo and his delegation was not allowed to enter US territory by the US Custom and Border Protection.

Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also sent a diplomatic note to the US Embassy in Jakarta to ask for clarification of the incident, Nasir said.

"Minister of Foreign Affairs has communicated with the US Ambassador in Jakarta today asking for immediate clarification," Nasir said.

The US Ambassador to Indonesia is currently away from Jakarta, therefore the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will summon US deputy ambassador on Monday.
US ambassador apologizes for incovenience to Indonesian military chief


Jakarta (ANTARA News) 22/10/2017-


The US Ambassador to Indonesia, Joseph Donovan, has apologized to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi for any inconvenience regarding a report of Chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), General TNI Gatot Nurmantyo, who is being refused to enter the US territory.

The US Ambassador offered the apology in a statement released by the US Embassy on its official website here on Sunday.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford Jr, invited the Nurmantyo, to attend a Chiefs of Defense Conference on Countering Violent Extremism being held October 23-24 in Washington, DC.

However, Nurmantyo was reported to be halted by the US Custom and Border Protection before boarding to a commercial flight in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport of Jakarta on Saturday.

It was reported that Nurmantyo and his delegation was not allowed to enter US territory by the US Custom and Border Protection.

The US Embassy was in touch with the general's staff about this matter throughout the weekend, working to facilitate his travel.

The US Embassy was, and remains, prepared to facilitate the Nurmantyo's travel to the United States.

The US embassy remain committed to Strategic Partnership with Indonesia as a way to deliver security and prosperity to both nations and peoples.


siK.


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