Khashoggi fiancee declined Trump invite fearing public opinion ploy

 

A still image taken from a video shows Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, during an interview with Turkish broadcaster Haberturk's anchorman Mehmet Akif Ersoy in Istanbul, Turkey October 26, 2018. Courtesy Haberturk/Reuters TV via REUTERS

 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday said she did not accept an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the White House because she thought it was aimed at influencing public opinion in his own favour.

 

In her first television interview since the killing, Hatice Cengiz recounted the events leading up to their visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 where Khashoggi handed her his two mobile phones and went inside while she waited outside for him to emerge.

 

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared after entering the consulate to obtain paperwork necessary for his upcoming marriage to Cengiz, a Turkish national. After weeks of denying knowledge of whereabouts, and changing its story a number of times, Riyadh has said his killing was premeditated.

 

"Trump invited me to the United States but I perceived it as a statement to win public favour," Cengiz told broadcaster Haberturk, pausing at times during an interview and more than once breaking down in tears.

 

Trump and Prince Mohammed have cultivated warm ties though the U.S. president said earlier this week that the crown prince, as the kingdom's de facto ruler, bore ultimate responsibility for the operation against Khashoggi. Trump also said Riyadh had staged the "worst cover-up ever" over the killing.

 

Cengiz said Khashoggi was concerned tensions would arise when he visited the consulate for the first time on Sept. 28, but he was treated well at that visit, which appeared to reassure him, she said.

 

"I know he had questions in mind about whether something untoward could actually happen at the consulate," she told Haberturk.

 

He later assumed he would not ultimately be arrested or harmed in Turkey, she said.

 

"His local network in Turkey was very good as you know, his political network as well," Cengiz said. "He thought Turkey is a safe country and if he would be held or interrogated, this issue would be swiftly solved."

 

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia on Friday to disclose who ordered Khashoggi's murder, as well as the location of his body, heightening international pressure on the kingdom to come clean on the case.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-27

"...The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday said she did not accept an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the White House because she thought it was aimed at influencing public opinion in his own favour..."

 

That is an intelligent lady.

 

I think she is correct; it is hard to believe, based on his reactions to the murder and his labeling of the press as "Enemies of the People", that Trump has any sympathy whatsoever for the family/widow.

 

A visit to the Trump White House would be for the benefit of Trump and no one else.

 

I have said it before and (sadly) will say it again;

 

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

 

God help us all.

 

 

yes very intelligent lady, Trump is in the pocket of the Saudis, plain for all to see, its all about the money, this Saudi regime are just lying scum, shows they got no brains did they think no one would know, with his girlfriend waiting out side, Hello ?? anybody in ??

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday said she did not accept an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to visit the White House because she thought it was aimed at influencing public opinion in his own favour..."

 

That is an intelligent lady.

 

I think she is correct; it is hard to believe, based on his reactions to the murder and his labeling of the press as "Enemies of the People", that Trump has any sympathy whatsoever for the family/widow.

 

A visit to the Trump White House would be for the benefit of Trump and no one else.

 

I have said it before and (sadly) will say it again;

 

Donald Trump is an ever-expanding cloud of toxic waste that defiles everything it touches.

 

God help us all.

 

 

Yes she has Trump pegged.

 

Change of tac by Trump sycophant Boon Mee from sad to haha - just as pathetic.

No problem; USA can keep their troops and checkbooks at home on this one. Don't get involved; it is not America's problem.

5 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Trump invited me to the United States but I perceived it as a statement to win public favour," Cengiz told broadcaster Haberturk,

Plus why would she want to meet the man who is more concerned about protecting an arms deal, than the murder of her fiancée?

My deepest condolences to you and my hat is off to you you madam are a class act 

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

No problem; USA can keep their troops and checkbooks at home on this one. Don't get involved; it is not America's problem.

Since when has that stopped them?

Trump hates to be outdone. He saw Mohammed bin Salman force the son of Jamal Khashoggi to shake his hand. He needs to show he can do the same but better, with the fiancee. He will have to find a replacement for his ego games.

All this charade is making Erdogan look like a decent guy, and a honest politician, who would have thought.

The tip-off was when Trump asked her to meet him at the Saudi Embassy in DC.

2 hours ago, mauGR1 said:

All this charade is making Erdogan look like a decent guy, and a honest politician, who would have thought.

Very insightful

 

4 hours ago, mauGR1 said:

All this charade is making Erdogan look like a decent guy, and a honest politician, who would have thought.

Like when Adolf Hitler hosted the Olympics, people probably had the same impression that he looks like a decent guy... but it did not last a long time.

4 minutes ago, Tchooptip said:

5 hours ago, mauGR1 said:

All this charade is making Erdogan look like a decent guy, and a honest politician, who would have thought.

Like when Adolf Hitler hosted the Olympics, people probably had the same impression that he looks like a decent guy... but it did not last a long time.

I have no sympathy for Erdogan, but , at least in the last few days, compared to the prince and trump, he looks like a honest man.

I don't know what 'people' thought about hitler in '36, i was not there.

I am not going to say what I think as it would be impolite and against forum rules, but I think it! 

????