US President Donald Trump stands in the ruling house in Riyadh despite the assassination of Saudi journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi. The US remained a „steadfast partner“ of Saudi Arabia, Trump clarified in Washington.
US intelligence investigations into the violent death of Khashoggi in Istanbul are continuing, according to the US president. He considered a certainty of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman possible in the case, but not proven. „It could very well be that the Crown Prince knew about this tragic incident – maybe he had that and maybe he did not!“ Trump said in a statement.
However, all the facts surrounding this „unacceptable and horrific crime“ may never have come to light, the US president added. US newspapers reported Friday that the US intelligence agency CIA believed that Prince Mohammed had ordered the killing of Khashoggi.
Khashoggi had gone to the Saudi consulate in the Besiktas district of Istanbul on October 2 to pick up papers for his planned wedding, but could not get out. Saudi Arabia had admitted only after massive international pressure that the government critic was killed there.
Trump again referred to the role of Saudi Arabia as an ally of the US against Iran and as a business partner. The Kingdom was a „great partner in our very important fight against Iran,“ he emphasized.
The $ 450 billion (€ 395 billion) US investment pledged by Riyadh would create hundreds of thousands of jobs. Also, Riyadh has been very cooperative in the efforts to limit oil prices, stressed the US president.
Pompeo defends Trump course
Riyadh had vehemently rejected reports of Mohammed bin Salman’s involvement on Monday. „We in the kingdom know that such allegations against the Crown Prince are completely wrong,“ said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Dschubair to the Saudi-Arabian-funded daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat. King Salman and the heir to the throne are a „red line,“ Al-Jubair warned. „We will not allow any attempts to touch them, by whom and under whatever pretext.“ The allegations are media reports, officials from the United States do not give it.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo in Washington on Tuesday. Pompeo said that they had talked about the Khashoggi case. Pompeo defended Trump’s Saudi Arabia-friendly course and stressed that relations with the country were essential to the security of the United States. „That’s a mean, bad world out there,“ he said. And Saudi Arabia is an important partner.
Pompeo said that the US government has made great efforts to clarify the Khashoggi case and given a „strong response“ by sanctioning those involved in the killing of the journalist. First and foremost, however, is for the government to ensure the safety and well-being of the Americans.
