Detik.com - January 6,
2010
Anwar Khumaini, Jakarta – Newly
appointed Deputy Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has
already once been refused entry into the United States. He does not however
feel there will be any difficulties in performing his duties in the superpower
country.
"There are many roads
to Rome," joked Sjamsoeddin after being appointed as deputy defense
minister at the State Place on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara in Central Jakarta on
Wednesday January 6.
According to the former
general secretary of the Defense Department, the previous rejection of his visa
by the US will not disrupt his duties as deputy defense minister. On the
contrary, this has provided an impetus to opening up communications with the US
and other countries.
When asked why his visa was
held back by the US, Sjamsoeddin said he did not know. "I don't know why
the visa was held back", he said evasively.
With regard to the support
and opposition to his selection as the number two person at the defense
department, Sjamsoeddin specifically expressed his thanks. He views the
discourse that has developed among the public as being extremely positive for
his future duties.
"It is precisely this
that has motivated me to be more introspective and attentive in carrying out
[my] duties," said the former Jakarta military commander during the May
1998 riots. (irw/nrl)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
