TNI Military Chief Denied Entry to US

[Chiron]

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/...hief-denied-departure-on-us-bound-flight.html

I'm just wondering if this was an error on someone's part? If not, this is a fairly significant diplomatic issue between RI and USA. What could be the reasons?

Is someone in the US military establishment upset that RI bartered for those SU-35's instead of getting more F-16's? Or maybe it's that, and also just getting a little too close to Russia in general... However, Russia just sold S-400 missiles to Saudi Arabia right after Trump made his grand visit. The world of military arms and who's buying what from whom, is pretty bizarre in general. If you look on Wikipedia and see the inventory of Indonesian Air Force aircraft, missiles, and radar, it's definitely a smorgasbord of items from around the world.

 

[waarmstrong]

Unlikely it is an error, but I agree, the basis of the decision is not clear. I suppose the denial of entry could in some way be related to which merchant of death the Indonesian government currently favors. I think not. Could just as well be tied General Nurmantyo's human rights record or evidence that he is corrupt. Given the tenor of the Trump administration's policies on travel to the USA generally, it might have something to do with the general's religion.

Will be interesting to see how the denial is handled, especially since he has been in the USA before. What has changed? ... besides a new barking mad US administration.

 

[vocalneal]

It is an Emirati screw up. Unless Indo is aggressively pursuing ISIS in the islands bordering Phillipines? It is not even sect based!

He should have flown west not east. Maybe he didn't have a visa? He only wants to go to Dubai to ....

 

[Vanhelsing]

I'm betting on admin error as the General was actually invited by the USA to attend a conference.

He had been invited to attend a conference on countering violent extremism on October 23 to 24 at the invitation of General Joseph Dunford, the US's highest ranking military officer.

"The TNI is still waiting for an explanation for this incident considering the travel to the US was upon an invitation from the US Military Commander and upon a good relationship between the two countries."

"The US Embassy was, and remains, prepared to facilitate the General's travel to the United States. We remain committed to our Strategic Partnership with Indonesia as a way to deliver security and prosperity to both our nations and peoples."

http://www.smh.com.au/world/indones...ry-chief-gatot-nurmantyo-20171022-gz5zhu.html

 

[dafluff]

Whatever the reason, the US just did Gen. Nurmantyo a huge favor. A nice boost to his nationalistic cred with the locals by getting refused entry by the US. There is wide expectation that the general want's to throw his hat into the 2019 presidential elections, either on the top of the ticket, or as a VP candidate.

 

[Davita]

Whatever the reason, the US just did Gen. Nurmantyo a huge favor. A nice boost to his nationalistic cred with the locals by getting refused entry by the US. There is wide expectation that the general want's to throw his hat into the 2019 presidential elections, either on the top of the ticket, or as a VP candidate.

Politically that could be a nice pairing with Jokowi for the 2019 election as Gatot would steal votes from Prabowo who, at this time, looks like the only other contender

 

[William King]

TJP is indicating that the US embassy has said he is welcome to go now...

 

[Nimbus]

Politically that could be a nice pairing with Jokowi for the 2019 election as Gatot would steal votes from Prabowo who, at this time, looks like the only other contender

Anybody who can steal votes from Prabowo is good in my book.

 

[dafluff]

Anybody who can steal votes from Prabowo is good in my book.

He may throw in with Prabowo tho...

 

[Nimbus]

He may throw in with Prabowo tho...

In that case, nevermind.

 

[Davita]

He may throw in with Prabowo tho...

Is that really likely? I wouldn't think it would be a good partnership and unlikely to detract from Jokowi's support.
I think I read that Nasdem supports Jokowi and the PPP would endorse Nurmantyo as VP....
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/10/11/ppp-eyes-gatot-as-jokowis-2019-running-mate.html

 

[dafluff]

Too early to tell, I think. I prefer he doesn't run at all....

 

[Daniel50]

Prabowo's popularity seems to be down some people are postulating perhaps Anies for President or maybe VP?

 

[Anglian]

Prabowo's popularity seems to be down some people are postulating perhaps Anies for President or maybe VP?

Yes,I think Anies thinks so too