US Blames 'Administrative Error' for Indonesian Military Chief's Flight Denial

Jakarta, MINA – The US has now claimed an “administrative error” was the reason why Indonesia’s military chief was told he could not board a flight in an incident that caused a diplomatic furore, watoday.com reported.

General Gatot Nurmantyo was prevented from boarding an Emirates flight on Saturday despite having a visa and being personally invited to attend a counter terrorism conference in Washington by his counterpart General Joseph Dunford.

Four days after what has been described as a “diplomatic scandal” the US Embassy in Jakarta quietly posted a statement on its website saying the General and his wife had been “delayed” due to an “administrative error”.

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“The error was quickly corrected,” the statement said. We have taken appropriate measures 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 the United States.”

The Department of Homeland Affairs had previously said General Gatot had been warned he could be delayed at the airport due to unspecified “US security protocols”.

After being told he could not board his initial flight, General Gatot was subsequently cleared to fly and rebooked on a later flight but “chose not to travel”

General Gatot suggested the decision not to go to the US had been made by President Joko Widodo after he was informed of what had occurred.

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Important issue

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Monday the US’s initial explanation was “not enough” and Indonesia continued to demand an explanation.

“For us this is an important issue,” she said after summoning the acting US Deputy Ambassador Erin McKee.

The US Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday thanked the Indonesian government for its assistance in resolving the matter.

“We remain committed to our strategic partnership with Indonesia as a way to deliver security and prosperity to both our nations,” the statement said.

“We regret the inconvenience caused, and have communicated this to the government of Indonesia.”

However it added the United States government was dedicated to ensuring that all persons travelling to the United States were screened and properly vetted to maintain its responsibility to national security (T/RS5/RS1)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)