By Aaron Miller-
A statement by U.S president Donald Trump has today stated that business contracts from Saudi Arabia are too valuable to loose over the killing of Khashoggi. The statement is bound to irritate the legion of angry people who believe America should undergo an immediate forfeiture of its financial dealings with Saudi Arabia over the brutal killing of Khashoggi . The CIA have blamed the killing on the Saudi Prince, but Trump has chosen the denials of the Kingdom over the findings of his intelligence service.
Part of the American leader’s reasoning is the absence of irrefutable evidence contained in the finding, brushing aside the strong circumstantial evidence that points to the highest level of government as being responsible for the killing. Circumstantial evidence is not sufficient to forfeit all that is as stake, but whether any evidence will be enough to lead Trump’s administration to sacrifice billions of dollars in arms sale is another question. Issues of security, and other foreign interests were presented as impossible choices to make just because a man whom the Saudi’s described as the enemy of the people was killed so inhumanely.
In a statement by president Trump says: The kingdom spent “billions of dollars in leading the fight against Radical Islamic Terrorism” whereas Iran has “killed many Americans and other innocent people throughout the Middle East”, it says.
The statement makes reference to hugely lucrative Saudi contracts and arms purchases of unspecified quantities. It states: “If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries,” it adds. Trumps states that the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was “terrible”, Mr Trump wrote that “we may never know all of the facts” about his death.
“The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region,” the statement adds.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo added: “it’s a mean, nasty world out there”. He said the president was “obliged to adopt policies that further America’s national security”. The statement of allegiance to Saudi Arabia in the midst of a heavy climate of suspicion will not be pleasing to family members and well wishers of Khashoggi. There can be no solace for their grieving souls as they approach a depressing Christmas or them.
Khashoggi was subjected to a brutal murder at the Istanbul Consulate on October 2 as he went to obtain documents intended to pave the way for him to marry his fiancee. The former Washington Post Writer had recently bought a property in America at the time of his death. All that disappeared when he confidently flew to Turkey where he met a horrifying untimely death.
Many people expect the U.S government to sanction Saudi Arabia heavily, but the White House consider the stakes to be too high. The issue of security raised by Trump is an important point the president says he can’t easily overlook, but what options are available to him?
Trump’s announcement to have sanctioned the guilty 17 perpetrators is not considered satisfactory for critics of the American president. In the final analysis, the world may just have to wait for the moment the full details of the killing which Turkey say they have, is released.
THE FULL STATEMENT
“The crime against Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible one, and one that our country does not condone. Indeed, we have taken strong action against those already known to have participated in the murder. After great independent research, we now know many details of this horrible crime. We have already sanctioned 17 Saudis known to have been involved in the murder of Mr. Khashoggi, and the disposal of his body,” Trump said. “Representatives of Saudi Arabia say that Jamal Khashoggi was an ‘enemy of the state’ and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, but my decision is in no way based on that – this is an unacceptable and horrible crime.”
President Trump addressed the assessment from the CIA that Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman directly ordered Khashoggi’s murder. He also made it clear his administration has no plans to alter the relationship with Saudi Arabia as the existential threat from Iran continues.
“King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder of Mr. Khashoggi. Our intelligence agencies continue to assess all information, but it could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn’t!” he continued. “We may never know all of the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. In any case, our relationship is with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They have been a great ally in our very important fight against Iran. The United States intends to remain a steadfast partner of Saudi Arabia to ensure the interests of our country, Israel and all other partners in the region. It is our paramount goal to fully eliminate the threat of terrorism throughout the world!