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US refuses to divulge why Indonesian military chief Gatot Nurmantyo denied entry
Sydney Morning Herald - October 23, 2017
The baffling incident threatens to cause ructions in the relationship between the two countries with a banner calling for the expulsion of the US Ambassador erected over a major thoroughfare in Jakarta on Monday morning.
It could also play out domestically in favour of the nationalist General Gatot, who is widely believed to have political aspirations at the highest level and has long believed foreigners are engaged in a proxy war to undermine Indonesia.
Earlier this year General Gatot temporarily suspended military ties with Australia over teaching materials perceived as derogatory at a Perth Army base.
He has previously raised concerns about the US Marines that rotate through Darwin, implying they are there for the eventual takeover of Papua, and spoke of putting a stop to Australia trying to recruit Indonesian officers as spies or agents of influence.
Acting Deputy Ambassador Erin McKee reiterated the Embassy's apology after being summoned to meet Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Monday morning and said there was "absolutely no issues" with General Gatot Nurmantyo's ability to travel to the US.
"The Embassy is working very hard to understand what transpired around this incident and we hope that it will not happen again," Ms McKee said. "We deeply regret the inconvenience this incident caused."
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