U.S. President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt in the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi even as U.S. lawmakers pointed the finger at the Saudi leadership and Western pressure mounted on Riyadh to provide answers.
"I think we have to find out what happened first," Trump told the Associated Press in an interview on Tuesday. "Here we go again with, you know, you’re guilty until proven innocent. I don’t like that."
Trump then referred directly to his nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ran into trouble in the Senate after several women came forward to accuse Kavanaugh of sexual misconduct, before Kavanaugh was ultimately confirmed.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday met the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the capital Ankara.Erdoğan received Pompeo at Esenboğa International Airport at 10.10 a.m. local time (0710 GMT) in a 35-minutes long meeting ahead of his official visit to Moldova.Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, head of National Intelligence Service (MIT) Hakan Fidan and Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın also attended the meeting with Pompeo.Turkey waiting for agreement to search Saudi consul's residencePrior to his visit to Ankara, Pompeo went to Saudi Arabia, where he held talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Washington Post journalist who has been missing since entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.Khashoggi has long been feared killed at the consulate after his disappearance.Video: President Erdoğan, US’ Pompeo meet in AnkaraRecordings reveal Khashoggi tortured then dismembered while still aliveEurope may need to change Saudi policies over Khashoggi case: Merkel ally'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'
President Erdoğan, US’ Pompeo meet in Ankara
Earlier, in a Twitter post, Trump said that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denied knowing what happened in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where Khashoggi vanished two weeks ago after going there to collect documents he needed for his planned marriage.
Turkish officials have said they believe the Saudi journalist was murdered and his body removed, which the Saudis have strongly denied. Khashoggi was a U.S. resident who wrote columns for the Washington Post and he was critical of the Saudi government, calling for reforms.
"Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate," Trump wrote on Twitter. Trump also wrote that the crown prince "told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter. Answers will be forthcoming shortly."
The case of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is not only a global matter, but also a test for the Turkish judiciary Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said on Wednesday.Speaking at Anadolu Agency Editor's Desk, Soylu said, "There is an agreement, but for the search to start, there must be a joint consensus. The joint consensus is on the wait.""Once a joint consensus is reached, this step [to search the residence] will be taken," he added.Soylu further stressed that if permission to search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul was granted earlier, there would not be "any debates" regarding incident.Recordings reveal Khashoggi tortured then dismembered while still alive"We have managed and are continuing to manage this issue transparently and open to the world within the measures given by law," he said.Following permission for a search of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkish and Saudi officials are to search the residence of the Saudi consul concerning the case of a missing journalist.Amid the ongoing investigation of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi however, Saudi Arabia's Consul General in Istanbul Mohammad al-Otaibi left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday.'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'Khashoggi has long been feared killed at the consulate after he entered the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.On the same day, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.Saudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEO'Wait for outcome of probe'Turkey has shown two qualities in handling the case, namely staying calm and acting in line with the law, said Soylu."[Turkey] obeyed international agreements but at the same time took open and transparent actions [on the case]," he added.Soylu also urged the international community to wait for the final outcome of the investigation.Pompeo tells Erdoğan US willing to aid Khashoggi probe
'Khashoggi case not only global matter, also a test for Turkish judiciary'
How the crown prince, often referred to as MbS, emerges when the dust settles over Khashoggi's disappearance is a test of how the West will deal with Saudi Arabia in the future. At issue will be to what extent the West believes responsibility lies with MbS for Khashoggi.
MbS, who has enjoyed a close relationship with the Trump administration, painted himself as the face of a new, vibrant Saudi Arabia, diversifying its economy away from reliance on oil and making some social changes.
HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES
But there has been mounting criticism of some of the prince's moves.
These include Riyadh's involvement in the war in Yemen, the arrest of women activists and a diplomatic dispute with Canada. The kingdom also denied an assertion by France that it held Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri captive in November 2017.
The foreign ministers of Group of Seven (G7) countries on Wednesday expressed their distress over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist.The foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K., U.S. and the High Representative of the European Union affirmed "commitment to defending freedom of expression and protection of a free press" in a written statement."We remain very troubled by the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Those bearing responsibility for his disappearance must be held to account," the statement added.The G7 countries further encouraged Turkish-Saudi collaboration regarding the missing journalist case and added that they "look forward to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conducting a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation, as announced.”Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post newspaper, has long been feared killed at the consulate after he entered on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.On Monday, Turkish and Saudi officials searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul after the start of a joint probe into the missing journalist.Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of what happened to Khashoggi, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S., and the U.K. -- are pressing for the mystery to be cleared up as soon as possible.Europe may need to change Saudi policies over Khashoggi case: Merkel ally'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'Saudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEOTrump says Saudi prince denies knowledge of Khashoggi case
G7 ministers 'very troubled' by Khashoggi disappearance
Despite Western concerns about Saudi Arabia's human rights record, Trump still says he is unwilling to pull out of weapons sales agreements with Riyadh.
Also, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin plans to attend a high-profile investment conference in Riyadh starting on Oct. 23. Those are all indications Trump is sticking by Saudi Arabia, the first country he visited as president in 2017. Trump told the AP that Mnuchin’s trip could be canceled by Friday depending on what the investigation finds.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who met with Saudi King Salman, the crown prince and the foreign minister, said his assessment from the meetings was that there was "a serious commitment to determine all the facts and ensure accountability, including accountability for Saudi Arabia's senior leaders or senior officials.
Yeni Şafak daily has obtained information indicating that there are numerous voice recordings from inside the Saudi consulate located in Turkey’s Istanbul where missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered on Oct. 2 and never reemerged.In one of the recordings, Saudi Arabia's Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi, who left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday, can be heard saying: “If you want to live, be quiet!”First torture, then executionSources indicate that Khashoggi was tortured before he was killed. His fingers were allegedly cut off during the interrogation process before he was decapitated.The consul general can be heard saying: “Do this outside. You’re going to get me in trouble.”US Secretary of State Pompeo lands in AnkaraKhashoggi has long been feared killed after he entered the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.He moved to Washington last year fearing retribution for his criticism of Prince Mohammed, who has cracked down on dissent with arrests.On same day Khashoggi went missing, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals, including a forensic expert, have since left Turkey.Europe may need to change Saudi policies over Khashoggi case: Merkel allyKhashoggi killing took seven minutes“It took seven minutes for Jamal Khashoggi to die, a Turkish source who has listened in full to an audio recording of the Saudi journalist's last moments,” told the Middle East Eye.The source said Khashoggi was “dragged from the Consul General’s office at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and onto the table of his study next door. The screaming stopped when Khashoggi was injected with an as yet unknown substance. Head of forensic evidence in the Saudi general security department Salah Muhammad al-Tubaigy began to cut Khashoggi’s body up on a table in the study while he was still alive. As he started to dismember the body, Tubaigy put on earphones and listened to music. He advised other members of the squad to do the same.”'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'Khashoggi disappearance tops global agendaSince Khashoggi’s disappearance, many global media outlets have claimed that recordings of his death inside the consulate exist.Turkish officials have told Reuters that authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States. Saudi Arabia has denied any role in Khashoggi's disappearance.Police found “certain evidence” of Khashoggi’s slaying at the consulate, a high-level Turkish official told the Associated Press on Tuesday.Saudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEOTrump says Saudi prince denies knowledge of Khashoggi case
Recordings reveal Khashoggi tortured then dismembered while still alive
Pompeo and Trump's remarks reflect a dilemma for the United States, Britain and other Western nations in how to respond to an authoritarian monarchy that does not typically bow to foreign pressures. Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil exporter, spends lavishly on Western arms and is a major Sunni Muslim ally.
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican close to Trump on some issues, called the crown prince a "toxic" figure, adding, "He can never be a world leader on the world stage."
"I've been their biggest defender on the floor of the United States Senate," Graham said. "This guy is a wrecking ball. He had this guy murdered in a consulate in Turkey and to expect me to ignore it, I feel used and abused," Graham said.
Europe may need to amend its relations with Saudi Arabia, depending on the outcome of an investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and a critic of the Saudi crown prince, vanished after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Turkish officials say they believe he was killed there and his body removed, which the Saudis strongly deny."We have a very ambivalent picture of Saudi Arabia, especially with what has happened in the Khashoggi case in recent days, and what emerges in the coming days will complete that picture. Europe may need to correct its policies toward Saudi Arabia," Juergen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman for Merkel's conservatives, told broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'"We need to use our economic leverage so that Saudi Arabia remains on a course of stability in the region," he added.He said it was too soon to make concrete proposals for policy changes and there were no plans for sanctions against Saudi Arabia.U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt in Khashoggi's disappearance even as U.S. lawmakers pointed the finger at the Saudi leadership and Western pressure mounted on Riyadh to provide answers.Norbert Roettgen, chairman of the German parliamentary foreign affairs committee and an ally of Merkel, criticised Trump's comments."The decisive factor now is the behaviour of the U.S. president, who basically told the crown prince, we are giving you free rein as long as you buy enough weapons and other things from us," he told broadcaster ARD. Saudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEOUS's Pompeo to meet President Erdoğan, Turkish counterpartTrump says Saudi prince denies knowledge of Khashoggi case
Europe may need to change Saudi policies over Khashoggi case: Merkel ally
The Group of Seven foreign ministers, including the United States, said in a statement that they remained "very troubled" by Khashoggi's disappearance, and looked forward to Riyadh conducting a "thorough, credible, transparent and prompt investigation, as announced."
The statement was unusual for a group that normally weighs in on global foreign policy issues and speaks generally about human rights abuses in other countries.
U.S. media outlets reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia will acknowledge that Khashoggi was killed in a botched interrogation.
Trump speculated on Monday that "rogue killers" could be behind the disappearance, but gave no evidence to back up that theory.
Turkey will do everything to solve the missing Saudi journalist's case, ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman Ömer Çelik said on Tuesday.Speaking to reporters after the party's central executive board meeting, he said: “Turkey will do everything to solve missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s case and share the outcome with the entire world.”Khashoggi has long been feared killed after he entered the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting. On same day, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey. When asked about reports that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate and his body was chopped into pieces, Çelik said: “We will clear all the questions but now Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is in charge of the investigation and let’s wait how it concludes the case.”Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, as several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S., and the U.K. -- are pressing for the case to be cleared up as soon as possible.Saudi Arabia's Consul General in Istanbul Mohammad al-Otaibi also left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday amid reports that his residence will be searched as part of an ongoing investigation, according to diplomatic sources. US's Pompeo to meet President Erdoğan, Turkish counterpartTrump says Saudi prince denies knowledge of Khashoggi caseSaudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEO
'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'
CONGRESSIONAL PRESSURE
Members of the U.S. Congress, including some of Trump's fellow Republicans, are among the loudest voices in the United States demanding answers and action on Khashoggi, who moved to Washington last year fearing retribution for his criticism of the crown prince.
Republican Representative Jeb Hensarling, outgoing chairman of the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, said Washington might have to seriously review relations with Saudi Arabia if Riyadh was involved in killing Khashoggi.
"If this was a state-sanctioned assassination, which it may prove to be, then there will have to be a fundamental rethinking of our relationship vis-a-vis the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Absolutely," Hensarling told Reuters.
The Washington Post newspaper on Tuesday called on Saudi Arabia to give an honest account of what happened to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Khashoggi is a columnist for the Post, and contributed to the newspaper often with frequent pieces on the Saudi government.Publisher and CEO Fred Ryan said Khashoggi's family deserves an apology for what transpired in the last few weeks."The government of Saudi Arabia owes the Khashoggi family and the world a full and honest explanation of everything that happened to him, and we support the requests from Jamal’s family and the United Nations for an international investigation," Ryan said in a statement.Khashoggi has long been feared killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after he entered on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.Spain calls for urgent investigation into disappearance of Saudi journalistSaudi currency at weakest in two years on Khashoggi caseOn that same day, 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the building while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S. and the UK -- have expressed their desire that the matter should be elucidated as soon as possible."The Saudi government can no longer remain silent, and it is essential that our own government and others push harder for the truth. Until we have a full account and full accountability, it cannot be business as usual with the Saudi government,” Ryan added.The statement comes after prominent names in business and the media have pulled out of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.The New York Times, CNN and CNBC networks announced they would not be sponsoring the conference next week amid the global outcry over Khashoggi's disappearance.JP Morgan and Ford cancel plans for Saudi investor eventIran says it won't comment yet on missing journalist Khashoggi caseBahrain minister backs boycott of Uber over Khashoggi case
Saudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEO
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan indicated that parts of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul had been repainted since Khashoggi's disappearance.
"The investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over," Erdogan told reporters.
A Turkish security source said the search of the consulate provided "strong evidence" but no conclusive proof that Khashoggi was killed there.
The source confirmed that Saudi Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi left Istanbul on Tuesday, returning to Riyadh. The source said Turkish authorities had not asked him to leave.
A search of the Saudi consul's Istanbul residence was called off for the day because Saudi officials were not able to join, Turkish police said. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said earlier on Tuesday that Turkish officials would extend their investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance to include the residence of the Saudi consul and some vehicles.
Indicating unease over the Khashoggi case, international media and business executives have been pulling out of next week's investment conference, known as "Davos of the desert."
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde and London Stock Exchange Chief Executive David Schwimmer joined the list on Tuesday, as did the CEOs of HSBC , Standard Chartered, Credit Suisse, and BNP Paribas, and David Bonderman, the billionaire chairman and founding partner of private equity firm TPG.
Saudi Arabia has said it would retaliate against any pressure or economic sanctions.
CNN reported on Monday that after denying for two weeks any role in Khashoggi's disappearance, Saudi Arabia was preparing to say he died in a botched interrogation. The New York Times reported that Prince Mohammed had approved an interrogation or abduction of Khashoggi and the government would shield him by blaming an intelligence official.
Saudi authorities could not be reached for comment.
Turkish authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, Turkish sources have told Reuters.
The Saudi riyal rebounded after falling to its lowest level in two years over fears that foreign investment could shrink. The Saudi stock index initially dropped 3 percent but finished up after state-linked funds came in to buy toward the close.