REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- United States (US) Embassy issued official explanation on the incident that made Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander, Gatot Nurmayanto failed to meet invitation from US Commander to attend the Chiefs of Defense Conference on Country Violent Extremist Organization to be held from Monday (Oct 23) to Tuesday (Oct 24) in Washington D.C.
He was prevented from boarding a flight bound to US on October 21.
According to US Embassy, it happened due to an administrative error. However, the error then quickly corrected.
"We have taken the right approach to prevent this matter from occurring again. There is no restriction on the General's or his wife's travel, and we welcome them to US," US Embassy stated on its official website, Wednesday (Oct 25).
US Embassy also said they would remain committed to the strategic partnership with Indonesia as a way to deliver security and prosperity to both our nations. However, they regretted the inconvenience caused, and had communicated this to the Government of Indonesia.
The Embassy said, US Government was dedicated to ensure that all persons who travel to they were screened and properly vetted. It was in order to maintain the responsibility to its country security.
"We also thank the Government of Indonesia for its assistance in resolving this matter," the statement added.
Gatot, his wife, and Indonesia's delegations were about to fly to US to attend a conference under the invitation of US Commander Joseph Dunford Jr in Washington DC. He was scheduled to depart on Saturday (Oct 21) at 5 pm on Emirates flight number EK 0357.
Just before taking off from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Gatot was informed he could not be able to enter US. He said to have been notified of the restriction by Emirates' authorities.
Gatot has meet with President Joko Widodo to report the incident. President told him not to visit US. "When I came to know that I could not depart, I reported it to the president, and he said well, just do not go," Nurmantyo noted at the State Palace here on Tuesday.
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