REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Spokesman of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), Major General Wuryanto confirmed that the TNI chief, General Gatot Nurmantyo failed to visit the U.S. after being refused by the US Custom and Border Protection to enter its territory.
Wuryanto made the remarks here on Sunday, adding that Gen. Nurmantyo received an official invitation sent by the United States Military Commander General Joseph F Durford Jr to attend the Chiefs of Defense Conference on Country Violent Extremist Organization (VEOs) which will be held in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday (Oct.23&24).
"General Gatot Nurmantyo, his wife and entourage have arranged for visas and other administration needs to prepare for departure. On Saturday (Oct.21), the military chief (and entourage) were about to use the Emirates airlines, but a few moments before departure, notification from the airline said that the TNI commander and his entourage were not allowed to enter the US territory by US Custom and Border Protection," Wuryanto revealed.
According to him, Gen. Nurmantyo was scheduled to take off at 05.50 p.m. Western Indonesian Standard Time (WIB) on Saturday.
"His (Nurmantyo's) position was already in the airport and about to check in," the spokesman disclosed.
In addition, Wuryanto said that Gen. Nurmantyo had earlier replied the official invitation sent by the United States Military Commander General Joseph F Durford Jr to confirm his presence as a form of appreciation and attention.
"The TNI commander replied the letter in honor of General Joseph F Durford, Jr. who was a friend and senior to Gen. Nurmantyo," the TNI spokesman said.
In response to the case, the TNI Commander has reported to the Indonesian President through his aide, to Foreign Minister and to Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and also sent a letter to General Joseph F Durfort Jr.
"The (planned) departure to the United States was at the invitation of the U.S. Armed Forces Commander and (owing to) the good relations between the two countries as well the chiefs of the two countries' defense forces. Hence, the TNI commander and his entourage decided not to attend the invitation while waiting for official explanation from the United States," Wuryanto said.
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