Trump stands by Saudi prince despite journalist Khashoggi's murder

[webfact]

Trump stands by Saudi prince despite journalist Khashoggi's murder

By Mike Stone

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the news media while walking to board Marine One to depart for travel to Mar-a-Lago from the White House in Washington, U.S., November 20, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to remain a "steadfast partner" of Saudi Arabia despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi last month.

 

Defying intense pressure from U.S. lawmakers to impose tougher sanctions on Saudi Arabia, Trump also said he would not cancel military contracts with the kingdom, claiming it would be a "foolish" move that would only benefit Russia and China.

 

Trump said U.S. intelligence agencies were still studying the evidence around Khashoggi's murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and who planned it. Since the murder, Trump has taken varying positions on how to react, including possible sanctions.

 

"It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" Trump said in a statement issued by the White House.

 

His comments contradicted the Central Intelligence Agecy, (CIA), which believes Khashoggi's death was ordered directly by the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler widely known by his initials MbS.

 

Trump was quickly accused by Democratic lawmakers of undermining his own intelligence agencies and failing to confront Saudi Arabia over a human rights atrocity.

 

"Human rights is more than just a phrase, it has to mean something. And that means standing up and condemning a brazen murder by a foreign government. Everyone who played a role in this killing must be held accountable," Senator Dianne Feinstein said.

 

Democratic and Republican lawmakers have urged Trump to drop his support for MbS over the Khashoggi case, but the president has been reluctant.

 

Trump said on Tuesday that both Saudi Arabia's King Salman and MbS "vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder," and that the truth may never be known.

 

He also stressed that Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, is an important business partner and a "great ally" in the fight against Iranian power in the Middle East.

 

"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," Trump said.

 

On Twitter, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said of the statement: "Mr. Trump bizarrely devotes the FIRST paragraph of his shameful statement on Saudi atrocities to accuse IRAN of every sort of malfeasance he can think of."

 

Congressman Adam Schiff, who is expected to become leader of the House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee in January, said the United States should immediately end support for Saudi Arabia in the Yemen war, suspend arms sales to the kingdom, and reduce its reliance on Riyadh in the Middle East.

 

"The president adds to his track record of ignoring his own intelligence agencies, and undermining American values at home and abroad, by giving Saudi Arabia a pass for the brutal and premeditated murder of a U.S. resident and journalist. Outrageous," Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said.

 

REPUBLICANS' CRITICISM

Some of Trump's fellow Republicans have also vowed to break with him and push for firmer U.S. action against Saudi Arabia.

 

Representative Francis Rooney, a Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Washington should apply the so-called Magnitsky Act to those responsible for Khashoggi's death.

 

The legislation hits human rights violators with freezes on U.S. assets, U.S. travel bans, and prohibitions on Americans doing business with them.

 

Trump has placed the alliance with Saudi Arabia at the heart of his Middle East policy, and it was the first country he visited after becoming president in 2017.

 

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a sometime Trump ally, said there will be bipartisan support for sanctions against Saudi Arabia, "including appropriate members of the royal family, for this barbaric act which defied all civilized norms."

 

"While Saudi Arabia is a strategic ally, the behaviour of the crown prince – in multiple ways – has shown disrespect for the relationship and made him, in my view, beyond toxic," Graham said.

 

Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has developed a close relationship with MbS, and both he and Trump have tried to maintain the alliance.

 

Trump said on Tuesday he would not suspend arms sales to Riyadh.

 

"If we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China would be the enormous beneficiaries - and very happy to acquire all of this newfound business. It would be a wonderful gift to them directly from the United States!" Trump said.

 

Representative Eliot Engel, who has the power to block arms deals as the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the United States should use its ability to sell weapons to the Saudis as leverage to influence Riyadh's behaviour.

 

"The reality is that the Saudis couldn’t simply buy their weapons somewhere else," Engel said in a statement. "It would take years for the Saudi military to re-equip with Russian or Chinese weapons."

 

When Trump mentions the $110 billion package with Riyadh last year, he often adds that "it's 500,000 jobs."

 

But arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp <LMT.N> predicts the deal could create nearly 10,000 new jobs in Saudi Arabia, while keeping up to 18,000 existing U.S. workers busy if the whole package comes together - an outcome industry experts say is unlikely.

 

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended Trump's support for Saudi Arabia. The United States was obligated to adopt policies that furthered U.S. national security interests, Pompeo told a news conference following a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Washington.

 

Cavusoglu said that Turkey is not entirely satisfied with the level of cooperation it is receiving from Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi's murder, and may seek a formal United Nations inquiry.

 

(Reporting by Mike Stone; additional reporting by David Alexander, Susan Heavey, Mohammad Zargham, Patricia Zengerle and Richard Cowan; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-11-21

[Lungstib]

We have here a man who sees everything only in terms of business and money. He is completely devoid of any moral principles and is happy to evaluate a mans murder as less important than a money deal. Perhaps he is reflecting a common opinion in US society, that money matters most. Is that the world we now live in?

[khwaibah]

7 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

Perhaps he is reflecting a common opinion in US society, that money matters most. Is that the world we now live in?

 

You get a GOLD STAR. 

[stevenl]

12 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

We have here a man who sees everything only in terms of business and money. He is completely devoid of any moral principles and is happy to evaluate a mans murder as less important than a money deal. Perhaps he is reflecting a common opinion in US society, that money matters most. Is that the world we now live in?

"Is that the world we now live in?"

At the moment, unfortunately yes.

 

No surprise he is playing it this way, he just does whatever he wants, no matter any reasonable argument for something else.

[anon537687643]

It’s the sort of act the psycho Trump would sanction to get rid of an opponent who could bring him down ! No surprise at all at the reaction of the most shameful POTUS in its history

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

[MRToMRT]

A country we all used to look up to, we now snigger and laugh derisively at. 

Edited November 21, 2018 by MRToMRT

[TopDeadSenter]

Once again Trump is correct. A weaker president would take this as an opportunity to virtue-signal by severing trade and agreements with SA. Just like a fool would cut off his nose to spite his face. Of course, the stability of the ME and maintaining trade and relations are more important at present that making a big show and dance about another countries internal affairs. 

 As more and more details are leaked from the torture tapes I believe justice will take it's course here without USA acting as the world's police. A stance which, in fairness, has not impressed everybody around the world in recent times.

[animalmagic]

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

Trump said on Tuesday that both Saudi Arabia's King Salman and MbS "vigorously deny any knowledge of the planning or execution of the murder," and that the truth may never be known.

And if he gives them enough time he hopes the truth will never be known.

[thasoss]

CIA playing a bluff hand on trump? Dems hypocrits as usual who have been very quiet up until now on the slaughter in yemen.

All just a political game.Tired of these american politicians.

Cant wait till the house of cards collapse.

[JAG]

9 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Once again Trump is correct. A weaker president would take this as an opportunity to virtue-signal by severing trade and agreements with SA. Just like a fool would cut off his nose to spite his face. Of course, the stability of the ME and maintaining trade and relations are more important at present that making a big show and dance about another countries internal affairs. 

 As more and more details are leaked from the torture tapes I believe justice will take it's course here without USA acting as the world's police. A stance which, in fairness, has not impressed everybody around the world in recent times.

Except that it isn't an internal affair. It is quite an international affair. Mr Kashoggi was a resident of the United States (which rather involves the US), and was murdered by agents of the Saudi regime, in a third country (Turkey).

[PremiumLane]

1 hour ago, Lungstib said:

We have here a man who sees everything only in terms of business and money. He is completely devoid of any moral principles and is happy to evaluate a mans murder as less important than a money deal. Perhaps he is reflecting a common opinion in US society, that money matters most. Is that the world we now live in?

So he is just like every other US president before him, just business as usual 

[Thailand]

No surprise here.

 

Mueller going down next then wait for the shit storm.

[lannarebirth]

17 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Once again Trump is correct. A weaker president would take this as an opportunity to virtue-signal by severing trade and agreements with SA. Just like a fool would cut off his nose to spite his face. Of course, the stability of the ME and maintaining trade and relations are more important at present that making a big show and dance about another countries internal affairs. 

 As more and more details are leaked from the torture tapes I believe justice will take it's course here without USA acting as the world's police. A stance which, in fairness, has not impressed everybody around the world in recent times.

 

You know, I hate Trump, always have, but this good cop/bad cop strategy between Trump and top US agencies has got crude down 30% since the day after that unfortunate man's murder. It also enable the Iran sanctions relief to US allies. It's important to remember the US doesn't want any country to gain regional hegemony in the Middle East. Not condoning that neocon crapola mind you, but that's just the way things are.

[Thakkar]

 

[mtls2005]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"It could very well be that the Crown Prince had knowledge of this tragic event – maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" Trump said

 

Pretty much covers it.

 

Known as the "Helsinki Putin Defense".

 

 

[Basil B]

When does this new fabulous "Trump Suadi Golf Club" with massive bunkers and aches of astroturf donated by the Saudi Royal Family? 

[Cryingdick]

1 hour ago, Lungstib said:

We have here a man who sees everything only in terms of business and money. He is completely devoid of any moral principles and is happy to evaluate a mans murder as less important than a money deal. Perhaps he is reflecting a common opinion in US society, that money matters most. Is that the world we now live in?

 

It's no different than the Russians poisoning people on foreign soil and Germany deals with them for their energy needs. The USA dealt with the Saudis after 911. The barbaric manner of the killing seems to be a cultural difference. If they had whacked the guy in a more sterile manner this wouldn't be news as long as it has.

 

The world has been this way for quite some time. At least Trump is forward enough to say he simply doesn't care. This is why some people find him refreshingly honest.

 

Actually he said he could care less but you know what I mean.

 

Don't shoot me the messenger here just stating what is obvious.

Edited November 21, 2018 by Cryingdick

[Chomper Higgot]

That political leaders make uncomfortable deals with other nations that span the range from moderate and liberal democracies to rogue states is nothing new.

 

The issue hear is the clear indications that Trump is trading US foreign policy for direct monetary gain to himself, his famaily and their collective business interests.

 

Trump’s actions here have nothing to do with what’s good for America and everything to do with what is financially good for Trump and his crime family.

[bristolboy]

1 hour ago, Cryingdick said:

 

It's no different than the Russians poisoning people on foreign soil and Germany deals with them for their energy needs. The USA dealt with the Saudis after 911. The barbaric manner of the killing seems to be a cultural difference. If they had whacked the guy in a more sterile manner this wouldn't be news as long as it has.

 

The world has been this way for quite some time. At least Trump is forward enough to say he simply doesn't care. This is why some people find him refreshingly honest.

 

Actually he said he could care less but you know what I mean.

 

Don't shoot me the messenger here just stating what is obvious.

It's not a matter of cultural difference or even of the Saudis being good or bad guys. It's about the current de facto ruler. He is a psychopath and psychopaths make very  bad partners. He has repeatedly show godawful judgment. He actually kidnapped the PM of another country. He started a self defeating boycott of Qatar. In fact, it was only in the face of strong US opposition that he didn't invade Qatar. His Qatar policy actually ended up strengthening the Iranians. He has intervened massively in a prolonged war and destabilizing war with a neighbor. As long as the US is allied with a country ruled by this dangerously rash incompetent, it's going to continue to be sandbagged by his conduct. He has to go.

Edited November 21, 2018 by bristolboy

[mtls2005]

17 minutes ago, ReMarKable said:

I cannot understand the USA's fascination with this selfish and dishonest gangster and cheat with no moral compass.

 

A relatively small percentage of people are susceptible to "hucksterism", "cults", "used-car salesmen", "con-men", "faith-healers", it's second nature for us given our short-history.

 

Once the bronzer wears off, most realize they've been had. All the others? That's what the Kool-Aid is for.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 21, 2018 by mtls2005

[lannarebirth]

2 minutes ago, bristolboy said:

It's not a matter of cultural difference or even of the Saudis being good or bad guys. It's about the current de facto ruler. Heis a psychopath and psychopaths make very  bad partners. He has repeatedly show godawful judgment. He actually kidnapped the PM of another country. He started a self defeating boycott of Qatar. In fact, it was only in the face of strong US opposition that he didn't invade Qatar. His Qatar policy actually ended up strengthening the Iranians. He has intervened massively in a prolonged war and destabilizing war with a neighbor. As long as the US is allied with a country ruled by this dangerously rash incompetent, it's going to continue to be sandbagged by his conduct. He has to go.

 

Right, but don't you think that's why the "official" line is that he is a cold blooded murderer, while the horse's ass leaves the door open for whatever may come next?

[Cryingdick]

Just now, bristolboy said:

It's not a matter of cultural difference or even of the Saudis being good or bad guys. It's about the current de facto ruler. He is a psychopath and psychopaths make very  bad partners. He has repeatedly show godawful judgment. He actually kidnapped the PM of another country. He started a self defeating boycott of Qatar. In fact, it was only in the face of strong US opposition that he didn't invade Qatar. His Qatar policy actually ended up strengthening the Iranians. He has intervened massively in a prolonged war and destabilizing war with a neighbor. As long as the US is allied with a country ruled by this dangerously rash incompetent, it's going to continue to be sandbagged by his conduct. He has to go.

 

 I agree. What i mean is if the prince had offed the guy in a less barbaric way it would have been forgotten already. We are surprisingly in agreement for a change. He is a train wreck, it is even hard for Trump to stomach him and look the other way. 

 

The Saudis will have to give the prince up on their own though. It's Thanksgiving and gas is $2.01 a gallon. It is pretty obvious the Saudis have been told to pump it dry. They can get out of this if they give the prince up. Otherwise Trump knows what's in the tape and knows who ordered it. Should the Saudis not comply to Trump's wishes I am sure that some new found evidence of the prince's guilt will be found.

 

This is sort of what makes it more chilling. Again it's just business as usual. All countries do it but most try to hide it.

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, lannarebirth said:

 

You know, I hate Trump, always have, but this good cop/bad cop strategy between Trump and top US agencies has got crude down 30% since the day after that unfortunate man's murder. It also enable the Iran sanctions relief to US allies. It's important to remember the US doesn't want any country to gain regional hegemony in the Middle East. Not condoning that neocon crapola mind you, but that's just the way things are.

Nonsense, he wants Israel to be the dominant ME force. And to achieve that he needs SA.

[lannarebirth]

2 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Nonsense, he wants Israel to be the dominant ME force. And to achieve that he needs SA.

Well, that's just not going to happen. I think Israel is content to have regional powers focused on each other rather than on Israel.

[DM07]

Again, taking the culprits word over US- intelligence!

'Murica first...make it great again and all that...

[ReMarKable]

6 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

 I agree. What i mean is if the prince had offed the guy in a less barbaric way it would have been forgotten already. We are surprisingly in agreement for a change. He is a train wreck, it is even hard for Trump to stomach him and look the other way. 

 

The Saudis will have to give the prince up on their own though. It's Thanksgiving and gas is $2.01 a gallon. It is pretty obvious the Saudis have been told to pump it dry. They can get out of this if they give the prince up. Otherwise Trump knows what's in the tape and knows who ordered it. Should the Saudis not comply to Trump's wishes I am sure that some new found evidence of the prince's guilt will be found.

 

This is sort of what makes it more chilling. Again it's just business as usual. All countries do it but most try to hide it.

Trump knows what is on the tape because he was briefed on it (whether he was listening during the brief is another matter).  However he was too scared to listen to it himself.

[bristolboy]

12 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

 I agree. What i mean is if the prince had offed the guy in a less barbaric way it would have been forgotten already. We are surprisingly in agreement for a change. He is a train wreck, it is even hard for Trump to stomach him and look the other way. 

 

The Saudis will have to give the prince up on their own though. It's Thanksgiving and gas is $2.01 a gallon. It is pretty obvious the Saudis have been told to pump it dry. They can get out of this if they give the prince up. Otherwise Trump knows what's in the tape and knows who ordered it. Should the Saudis not comply to Trump's wishes I am sure that some new found evidence of the prince's guilt will be found.

 

This is sort of what makes it more chilling. Again it's just business as usual. All countries do it but most try to hide it.

No, the reason that the price of gas is low is that Trump lied to the Saudis. He promised to not allow the Iranians to sell any oil but instead granted waivers to several countries.

[Cryingdick]

4 minutes ago, ReMarKable said:

Trump knows what is on the tape because he was briefed on it (whether he was listening during the brief is another matter).  However he was too scared to listen to it himself.

 

He didn't have the stomach to listen to it. I never said he didn't know what is on the tape. What i said is he doesn't care as long as the oil flows. I thought this was rather obvious to the entire world.

[ReMarKable]

5 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

He didn't have the stomach to listen to it. I never said he didn't know what is on the tape. What i said is he doesn't care as long as the oil flows. I thought this was rather obvious to the entire world.

I agree with you that he doesn't care if a US resident and journalist was killed.  Especially since he boasted he could kill someone in public and no one would care.  What I question, since he was too scared to listen to it personally and had to be briefed on it, whether he was really listening since he has the attention span of a gnat and possibly watching Fox and Friends during the briefing to get his talking points for the day.

[bristolboy]

35 minutes ago, lannarebirth said:

 

Right, but don't you think that's why the "official" line is that he is a cold blooded murderer, while the horse's ass leaves the door open for whatever may come next?

I think the official line is nothing is proven.