(Central News Agency reporter He Hongru Ankara special article) The U.S. intelligence agency confirmed that the Saudi Arabian journalist Khashoggi died in an operation approved by the Crown Prince. The legitimacy of Salman’s re-election as the crown prince looms over the haze. Whether the US Biden administration will directly sanction it or whether the ship passed without a trace has attracted attention.
“I saved his ass.” Washington investigative reporter Bob Woodward broke the news in a book last year that former U.S. President Trump boasted to be Muhammad. Mohammed bin Salman “wiped his butt” and helped him clean up the mess of the Jamal Khashoggi massacre.
This case shocked the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and the leaders of both parties in the US Congress demanded accountability. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was convinced that Muhammad. Salman approves the action. The UN Special Investigator for Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Agnes Callamard, who investigated this case, said in a report in June 2019: “It is impossible to imagine that an operation of this scale can be carried out without the Crown Prince’s knowledge. “
But Trump tried his best to defend the crown prince. He once said: “He (referring to Muhammad Salman) may or may not have done it. Nevertheless, we may never know all the facts surrounding the murder of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi.” Trump He often talks about the arms sales agreement between the two countries and the geopolitical status of Saudi Arabia.
Just over a month after Trump stepped down, the U.S. government released a report integrated by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, identifying Muhammad. Salman approved the killing or taking prisoner of Khashoggi. The decision to publish the report means that the Biden administration is determined to re-adjust its relations with Riyadh, and it also reflects the current human rights stance of Washington that is very different from the previous one.
Biden spoke with King Salman of Saudi Arabia on the eve of the report. According to the White House statement, Biden “affirmed to Salman that the United States attaches importance to universal human rights and the rule of law.” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki reiterated that Biden’s Saudi counterpart is the king, and emphasized that “the president will approach the appropriate counterpart.” The crown prince, the de facto ruler, was left out.
The US has set that the crown prince is “stained with blood.” Whether he will be sanctioned for this is currently unknown, but the pragmatic relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is bound to be severely weakened.
The King of Saudi Arabia has largely faded from his diplomatic and government roles. The 85-year-old Salman was hospitalized with gallbladder inflammation last year, but Saudi officials denied reports that the king’s health was deteriorating.
The 35-year-old Mohammed. Salman did not admit that he was involved in the Khashoggi case, but because “this case happened under my administration,” he symbolically took responsibility for the murder. Saudi officials attributed the murder to “self-assertion actions.” In September last year, the court sentenced eight offenders to 7 to 20 years in prison. The case was closed without a public trial. As Khashoggi’s family declared that they had been forgiven, the murderer’s death penalty was pardoned.
Ned Price, a spokesman for the State Department, declined to comment on whether the United States will hold the killers accountable by cutting arms sales and imposing sanctions.
Imad Harb, director of research and analysis at the Arab Center Washington DC, a non-profit organization, told the independent news media “Middle East Eye” that the report from the Office of the US Director of National Intelligence will allow Mohamed. Salman was “scarred on the moral, political and legal levels”, which overshadowed his legitimacy as a crown prince.
The political circles in Washington, especially the Democrats, are increasingly dissatisfied with Saudi Arabia. Habu believes that Biden is likely to be against Muhammad. Salman took actions including sanctions.
“The Office of the Director of National Intelligence said that he (referring to Mohamed Salman) was to blame for the murder of Jamal Hasoji. Biden will face overwhelming pressure from Congress, the media, and public opinion in the United States.” Habu Said: “Biden cannot cross the water without a trace.”
During the presidential election, Biden severely criticized Trump’s close relationship with the dictator, and in a debate within the Democratic Party, in response to the Khashoggi case and Saudi intervention in Yemen’s civil war, he said: “In fact, we will let them pay. The price, to be precise, exposes them to the original form of untouchables.”
After taking office, Biden has terminated Washington’s support for Saudi Arabia’s intervention in the Yemen Civil War, and has frozen the arms sales to Saudi Arabia approved by the previous government. Now, he has asked National Intelligence Director Avril Haines to announce the Khashoggi case. report. Nevertheless, pressure groups continue to urge the Biden administration to let Riyadh bear more meaningful consequences for this tragedy.
In response to the Khashoggi case, Washington announced at the end of 2018 that it would impose sanctions on 17 Saudis, including Saud al-Qahtani, the crown prince’s highest-ranking staff, but because the “officials who ordered” were not punished. Be criticized.
Launching an independent international criminal investigation under the framework of the United Nations may allow the case to be finally handed over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Only then can justice be brought to the case.
However, it is very difficult for those who actually control the power and wealth of Saudi Arabia to be tried overseas as the main suspect, if it can be specifically targeted at Muhammad. Salman and his assassination team imposed sanctions, which may be called the most positive result of Khashoggi’s pursuit of justice.
Mike Eisner, the chief operating officer of the human rights group “Democracy for the Arab World Now” (Democracy for the Arab World Now), which was planned before his death and was not officially established until last year, called for direct sanctions against the crown prince.
Eisner told Middle East Eye: “This is a simple matter. If Khashoggi does not do this, justice will not be obtained. In response to this execution, the Biden administration, as well as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada, have dealt with the commanders and pawns. The standard of justice must be treated equally.”
If Muhammad cannot be seized. Salman’s overseas assets, and severe economic and financial sanctions have been imposed, and he continues to ignore international norms and values. Then the significance of the US report will be greatly reduced. Any effort to pursue justice for Khashoggi will only be Thunder, little rain. (Editor: Gao Zhaofen) 1100227
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