Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Saturday that Turkey gave recordings on the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Germany, France and Britain.
"We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them. They know," Erdoğan said.
Turkish sources have said previously that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder.
Speaking ahead of his departure for France to attend commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, Erdoğan said Saudi Arabia knows the killer of Jamal Khashoggi is among a group of 15 people who arrived in Turkey one day ahead of the Oct. 2 killing.
U.S. President Donald Trump and France's Emmanuel Macron agreed on Saturday that the Saudi authorities needed to shed full light on the murder in Turkey last month of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a French presidency source said.The two leaders also agreed that the Khashoggi affair should not be allowed to cause further destabilisation in the Middle East and that it could create an opportunity to find a political resolution to the war in Yemen, according to the official.Saudi Arabia, which has faces global criticism and potential sanctions over the murder of Khashoggi in its consulate in Istanbul, leads a coalition battling Houthi insurgents in Yemen.‘Turkey shared Khashoggi killing recordings with US, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France and UK’Khashoggi’s sacrifice changed course of Arab history, says tribute painterTrump, Macron hold constructive talks after 'misunderstanding'U.S. President Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron held a "very constructive" bilateral meeting on Saturday, an official in the French presidency said.The two leaders met hours after Trump was scathing in a tweet of Macron's suggestion earlier this week that Europe needed a European army to bolster its defence capacities and reduce its dependence on the United States.President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 9 Kasım 2018 The Elysee Palace official said there had been a "misunderstanding" and that Trump, who had tweeted that Macron's comments were "very insulting", had told Macron in their meeting: "I think we are much closer than it seems."Trump, Macron agree on European defence after army spatTrump says wants 'strong Europe', but more defense cost-sharingTrump, Macron at odds on European defense ahead of WW1 commemoration
Macron, Trump want more details on Khashoggi killing
"There's no need to distort this issue, they know for certain that the killer, or the killers, is among these 15 people. Saudi Arabia's government can disclose this by making these 15 people talk," Erdoğan said.
Khashoggi, a Saudi national and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.
After weeks of denying involvement, the kingdom admitted Khashoggi had been killed at the consulate but claimed the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of a plot to murder him.
The kingdom's public prosecutor, Saud al-Mojeb, has since said he was killed in a premeditated attack.
In order to commemorate slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, American artist Asiye Allman painted a tribute portrait. Allman, who also wrote a poem to express her deepest condolences following his shocking death, hopes to communicate the pain caused by the horrific murder.Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed inside the Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul after he went there to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage.Allman works out of a studio in Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet. She settled in the bustling city 40 years ago. Allman avidly follows social and political developments in the Muslim world. Previously, she unveiled paintings that demonstrated her reaction to the July 15 coup attempt that shook Turkey two years ago.Speaking exclusively to Yeni Şafak, Allman detailed the story behind the stunning portrait and moving poem she penned in honor of Jamal Khashoggi:When Jamal was brutally murdered on Oct. 2 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, I was quietly painting images of Islamic beauty in my studio in Sultanahmet, near Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul. Later that evening, returning to my home in Ümraniye, I read a piece of news, via Yeni Şafak, that I would continue to follow in the upcoming days.In the immediate days that followed, it became apparent Jamal had been killed somehow. My first thoughts went to his pending marriage to Hatice, as I could feel the deep love Jamal had for her. His deep love and future commitment to Hatice led him to take risks. But, Jamal had suffered from loneliness after his self- imposed exile in the United States. Jamal had given up living in his country with his family because of his deep commitment to Saudi Arabia and his need for freedom of expression for all Saudis. Jamal’s pain must have been very intense during his last year. Perhaps, only balanced in some parts, by the results of his actions as an international journalist on the world stage. Jamal made a sacrifice few men have the courage to achieve.US lawmaker plans bill to punish Saudi over KhashoggiAs the weeks followed, the details of Jamal’s death were slowly revealed with great caution by the Turkish government. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as president, knew quite well that brother Jamal had been a great friend and admirer of Turkey. Turkey had a Muslim moral responsibility to uncover the full truth. Turkey also had a global responsibility to uncover the full truth.Like most of the world, I have had nightmares about the brutality of Jamal’s death. Without a doubt, the story that his fingers were severed while alive had the most horrible impact on my moral consciousness. I certainly pray for Jamal that this part of the story is untrue. Both journalists and artists depend on their fingers to execute their daily work. It is a visual image lodged in my memory until I die.I had never heard of Jamal before his brutal death. But, as I learned his life in Washington DC, I recognized many of the names of think tanks from my own days doing human rights work during the Feb. 28 process focused on Women and Democracy in Islam. I could tell he was important and well-respected in the political halls of my country, as well as Turkey.Saudi scholar urges US to review ties with Saudi ArabiaI have no doubt that Turkey, particularly Erdoğan, will pursue the truth, until all the facts of how he was murdered and who gave the order, are known by the global community. As a painter, I cannot make any contribution to this important process, only pray that Erdoğan will be successful in accomplishing his mission.But, as a painter, I can make a tribute to Jamal’s legacy. I can try to bring out the beauty ofJamal’s humanity and the meaning of his death for future generations. I have a weakness that I will always see the glass of water as full, no matter how empty it is. In this context, I have ignored the horror of his brutal death.Norway suspends arm exports to Saudi ArabiaAs the 40th day of his death approaches, I have painted my painting for Jamal: “White Roses for Jamal”. Jamal is enclosed in a case by two white roses. A white rose is a symbol of purity and faith, which he possessed in full abundance. The hearts around his face symbolize his love for his faith of Islam. The yellow outside the white roses symbolizes the light of heaven, which the birds are carrying his soul to heaven. On the bottom, I have put the symbol of Saudi Arabia.Jamal loved his country!I have no political influence or power. I am not a journalist. I am a simple Muslim woman and painter, who has been deeply moved by the spiritual meaning of Jamal’s life and death. With my painting, I hope Allah has given me the strength to communicate my feelings to others.Khashoggi's fiancée shocked over new death detailsWhite Rose Prayers for JamalMy Muslim brother Jamal:Without doubt,you are now in heavenwith Allahas a guest of honorsitting at a feast tablewith Prophet Muhammedand Prophet Abrahamat each side.Without doubt,you are being served byAsiye, wife of Pharaoh,Meryem, mother of Prophet Jesus,Hatice, wife of Prophet Muhammed, andFatma, daughter of Prophet Muhammed.This special feast tableis decoratedwith white rosesin full abundance.Your sacrifice has changedthe course of Arab history-time will tell the details.You represent thehopes and dreamsof your Arab brothers, sisters,elders and childrenfor a better lifewith freedom of expression.Your life resemblesin many deep waysMartin Luther King, Jr.of America.King had a dreamthat one dayfreedom would ringfor all blacksin America.Likewise, you had a dreamthat one dayfreedom would ringfor all Arabsin the Arab world.The third Monday of Januaryis a special dayin America to celebrateMartin Luther King Jr.’s legacy for future generations.October 2ndwill become a special dayin the Arab worldto celebrate your legacySending white rose prayersof purity and faithto you in heaven.Your Muslim sister Asiye.
Khashoggi’s sacrifice changed course of Arab history, says tribute painter
Erdoğan also accused Mojeb -- who visited Istanbul to discuss the investigation with his Turkish counterpart and make inspections in the Istanbul consulate-- of refusing to cooperate, in turn delaying the inquiry.
So far, 18 people, including security officers, have been arrested in Saudi Arabia in connection with the murder.
Last week, Turkish prosecutors announced preliminary findings that said Khashoggi was strangled to death in a premeditated killing soon after he entered the consulate.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said Khashoggi's body was disposed of after being dismembered.
Saudi authorities have so far claimed no knowledge of the whereabouts of his remains.
Representative Brad Sherman is planning to introduce legislation that would block a controversial nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia following the Kingdom's killing of a Washington Post columnist, according to a report published Friday.Should it become law, the bill, which was exclusively obtained by Vox.com, would represent Washington's strongest response to date over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.After offering vacillating explanations for Khashoggi's disappearance, Riyadh has acknowledged he was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after he entered the diplomatic facility.Khashoggi's body has not returned to his family despite their calls on the Kingdom to do so amid speculation it was chemically dissolved.Saudi scholar urges US to review ties with Saudi ArabiaNorway suspends arm exports to Saudi ArabiaSherman's bill, nicknamed the "No Nuclear Weapons for Saudi Arabia Act of 2018," would scuttle ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia on a nuclear cooperation agreement.The bill comes amid bipartisan outrage on Capitol Hill over Khashoggi's killing which could see it make its way through the legislature."I don’t think this bill would’ve passed prior to the events in Istanbul," Sherman told Vox. "Now I think we have a chance."The bill would require U.S. President Donald Trump to submit a "123 agreement" -- a set of rules that must be met for a legal sale of nuclear technology to a foreign country -- to Congress for approval.It would also require Trump to acquire a "Gold Standard" agreement from Riyadh which would specify the Kingdom would not enrich uranium to build a bomb, and lastly the legislation would require the Trump administration to report on Khashoggi's killing and the state of human rights inside Saudi Arabia."If powerful elements in Riyadh can’t be trusted with a bone saw," says Sherman, "you can’t trust them with a nuclear weapon."
US lawmaker plans bill to punish Saudi over Khashoggi
A Saudi scholar urged the U.S. to reconsider its support for Saudi Arabia after the murder of a Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.In an article titled “Why the U.S. Can’t Control MBS [Mohammad bin Salman]” for the Foreign Affair Magazine, Madawi Al-Rasheed, a visiting professor at the Middle East Centre of the London School of Economics, wrote: “The United States could start by making its support for MbS conditional on his recognition of people’s freedoms and the rule of law.Norway suspends arm exports to Saudi Arabia“This would help restrain a young power-grabbing prince who has so far displayed zero respect for the international community and has severely violated diplomatic trust, especially with Turkey,” Al-Rasheed added.Khashoggi, a Saudi national and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.After weeks of denying involvement, the kingdom admitted Khashoggi had been killed at the consulate but claimed the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of a plot to murder him.So far, 18 people, including security officers, have been arrested in Saudi Arabia in connection with the murder.Last week, Turkish prosecutors announced preliminary findings that said Khashoggi was strangled to death in a premeditated killing soon after he entered the consulate.The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said Khashoggi's body was disposed of after being dismembered.Saudi authorities have so far claimed no knowledge of the whereabouts of his remains.“The new Saudi totalitarianism, which requires complete subservience and loyalty to the crown prince, has culminated in the scandal of Khashoggi’s murder,” Al-Rasheed wrote.“But if Khashoggi’s murder ends in nothing but business as usual from the United States, this will not be the last horrific act we see.“An indifferent response will send a clear message from the United States to MbS: the young crown prince can get away with murder,” Al-Rasheed added.
Saudi scholar urges US to review ties with Saudi Arabia
Trump – Erdoğan meeting
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also said that he might meet U.S. President Donald Trump if they have opportunity in Paris during the commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.
Erdoğan will pay an official visit to France on Nov. 10-11, the presidential press office said on Friday. His visit comes at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, said the statement.
During his visit, Erdoğan will attend Armistice Day commemorations. The ceremonies -- to be hosted by Macron in Paris -- will also see the attendance of nearly 100 world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Nov. 11 Armistice Day marks the 1918 end of World War between the Allies and their opponent, Germany, on land, sea, and air.