U.S. focused on 'future conduct' of Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi sanctions, spokesman says

By Humeyra Pamuk and Simon Lewis

 

U.S. State Department Spokesman Ned Price speaks to reporters during a news briefing at the State Department in Washington, U.S., March 1, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/Pool

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is focused on "future conduct" of Saudi Arabia and will expect Riyadh to improve its human rights record, a U.S. spokesman said on Monday, after Washington imposed sanctions on some Saudis for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi but fell short of sanctions against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

 

The United States on Friday declassified a report that said the crown prince approved an operation in 2018 to capture or kill Khashoggi and issued some sanctions against Saudi nationals and entities.

 

Washington's failure to penalize the crown prince has been criticized by rights groups and others, raising questions about accountability and the Biden administration's pledge to make human rights a foreign policy priority.

 

Prince Mohammed, the 35-year old de facto ruler, has denied any involvement in Khashoggi’s killing, for which eight people were jailed in Saudi Arabia last year, but has said he bears ultimate responsibility because it happened on his watch.

 

"We are very focused on future conduct and that is part of why we have cast this not as a rupture, but as a recalibration" of U.S.-Saudi relations, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a press briefing.

 

"We are trying to get to the systemic issues underlying the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Price said.

 

The United States welcomed the recent release of two human rights activists in Saudi Arabia, Price said, but asked Riyadh to do more by lifting the travel ban on them.

 

"We are urging Saudi Arabia to take additional steps – to lift travel bans on those released, to commute sentences and resolve cases such as those women’s rights activists and others," he said.

 

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Monday that the United States reserved the right to sanction Mohammed bin Salman.

 

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident who wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post critical of the crown prince's policies, was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

 

On Friday, the United States singled out the Rapid Intervention Force, or RIF, a unit of the Saudi royal guard that has engaged in counter dissident operations. It also issued visa bans on 76 Saudis.

 

Price said he could not disclose the names of the 76 people and declined to say whether or not Mohammed bin Salman was among them. The United States has urged Saudi Arabia to disband the RIF, Price added.

 

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Doina Chiacu, Daphne Psaledakis and Simon Lewis; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Grant McCool)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-03-02

 

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Political expediency. Only target those where there is something to gain, and if the leader (country) does nothing wrong, then make something up. They talk about Thai corruption, it pales into insignificance compared to the US.

A name calling post and reply have been removed. Please refer to public officials (and others) by their correct names.

 

No, make them pay for that disgusting crime then their future behaviour may change.

 

Do nothing and they have no reason to change. It shows weakness to them.

Pathetic! That’s not even a slap on the wrist! 

1 hour ago, Sujo said:

No, make them pay for that disgusting crime then their future behaviour may change.

 

Do nothing and they have no reason to change. It shows weakness to them.

Since when has the US been concerned about doing the right thing? They've propped up dictators and despots when it's suited them, been complicit in the assassinations of elected foreign officials, imported drugs to fund arms to the Contras, started an illegal war in the middle east that's killed hundreds of thousands, it's a long list that I've barely touched on.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/khashoggi-killing-saudi-rsf-complaint/2021/03/01/2686ab7c-7af5-11eb-b0fc-83144c02d676_story.html

 

Media advocacy group accuses Saudi crown prince, aides of crimes against humanity in Khashoggi death

 

"A media advocacy group has filed a criminal complaint with a German prosecutor alleging that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and top aides committed crimes against humanity in the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

 

The submission by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders also alleges that Saudi officials are responsible for “widespread and systematic” persecution of journalists in the kingdom, citing what it characterizes as the arbitrary detention of more than 30 journalists."

...

It will now be up to the German prosecutor to decide whether to open a prosecutorial investigation. RSF officials say they believe Germany is conducive to such a move because its laws allow prosecution of certain crimes committed outside Germany. But no action is guaranteed, and German officials have declined to take up high-level foreign prosecutions in the past.

1 hour ago, Sujo said:

No, make them pay for that disgusting crime then their future behaviour may change.

 

Do nothing and they have no reason to change. It shows weakness to them.

Politics and trade go deeper with Saudi than most people understand, USA will never touch the man.

44 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Politics and trade go deeper with Saudi than most people understand, USA will never touch the man.

I know, its very sad.

At least Biden released the report, previously held up by Trump. And I doubt he'll be going the sword dance with them. That was embarrassing to watch.

 

But still not enough.

"U.S. focused on 'future conduct' of Saudi Arabia"---- In other words.."Don't do it again",

 

Because if you do we will have to tell you strongly....."Don't do it again"

 

Meanwhile Myanmar, Russia....and many other countries that are not so important to the USA,  In a high moral stand  will be sanctioned  for Jailing their opposition leaders.

4 hours ago, giddyup said:

Political expediency. Only target those where there is something to gain, and if the leader (country) does nothing wrong, then make something up. They talk about Thai corruption, it pales into insignificance compared to the US.

 

What did Biden, or senior officials in his administrations gain from this? Gain as in 'corruption'.

4 hours ago, Sujo said:

No, make them pay for that disgusting crime then their future behaviour may change.

 

Do nothing and they have no reason to change. It shows weakness to them.

 

Amusing. A rather similar point of view was rejected when applied to Iran. Suddenly it's lets play hardball. As for 'nothing' - I don't think you appreciate the significance of the report being released. Not something that the USA administrations were much given to do in the past. To an extent, MbS will be sidelined (perhaps temporarily, especially if he ascends to the throne), his standing both domestically and internationally effected, and that 'face' thing people associate with Asia, that's a thing in the ME too.

 

Doubt he won't watch his step (or rather, that he'll be under watch, both by Dad and the US).

16 hours ago, webfact said:

"We are trying to get to the systemic issues underlying the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi," Price said.

tell that to  saudi camels, maybe the'll believe you!

and to think they once led a lot of the world by example - it's truly sad..

It might be a good idea to consider who/what the alternative to MBS is before drawing the sword of righteousness justice.

 

 

 

17 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It might be a good idea to consider who/what the alternative to MBS is before drawing the sword of righteousness justice.

 

It's also very difficult to punish the de facto leader of a country.   He exists as part of a large institution and it's hard to punish him without punishing them and ourselves as well.

 

13 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

"U.S. focused on 'future conduct' of Saudi Arabia"---- In other words.."Don't do it again",

 

Because if you do we will have to tell you strongly....."Don't do it again"

 

Meanwhile Myanmar, Russia....and many other countries that are not so important to the USA,  In a high moral stand  will be sanctioned  for Jailing their opposition leaders.

They did sanction many lower level people. Just not MBS. Sadly.

Being US number No. 1 weapons customer does hold some sway. Delicate balance in foreign policy relationship. Just being not totally overt in courting and bowing to Saudi Arabia like the previous government is good enough. 

13 hours ago, sanuk711 said:

"U.S. focused on 'future conduct' of Saudi Arabia"---- In other words.."Don't do it again",

 

Because if you do we will have to tell you strongly....."Don't do it again"

 

Meanwhile Myanmar, Russia....and many other countries that are not so important to the USA,  In a high moral stand  will be sanctioned  for Jailing their opposition leaders.

What are you talking about?  Myanmar and Russia have both been sanctioned by both Trump and Biden presidencies.  -Something the EU has been slooooow to do.

41 minutes ago, Iron Tongue said:

What are you talking about?  Myanmar and Russia have both been sanctioned by both Trump and Biden presidencies.  -Something the EU has been slooooow to do.

Sanctioning a country is not difficult, but putting sanctions on the leader is a whole different kettle of fish.  Myanmar has sanctions, but Aung San Su Kyi doesn't.   Putin does not have sanctions on him personally.   

 

13 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

and to think they once led a lot of the world by example - it's truly sad..

 

Led by example, how and when? Remember that quote about friends and interests?

Baiting troll post and replies removed, along with a cartoon post.