Indra Budiari, Clark, Philippines – United States Defense Secretary James Mattis has apologized and has guaranteed there will be no repetition of the incident in which Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo was denied entry to the US.
He delivered the message in a closed-door meeting with Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu in Clark, Philippines, on Monday, according to the ministry's spokesman Brig. Gen. Totok Sugiharto.
"Minister Ryamizard accepted the apology that was conveyed during the short bilateral meeting," Totok told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Both ministers are scheduled to attend the ASEAN Plus Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) in Clark between Monday and Wednesday.
Gen. Gatot was informed that he was barred from entering US as he and his wife, who both had valid visas, were about to fly on Saturday. He was scheduled to attend a conference at the invitation of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford in Washington, DC.
The government is still seeking clarification of the embarrassing incident from the US government.