US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Wednesday in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the disappearance and presumed death of Saudi journalist and regime critic Jamal Khashoggi.
Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago. Turkish authorities believe he was murdered, dismembered and possibly transported out of the country in pieces by a 15-man Saudi “hit squad” who flew in and out of the country during the time in question. The team included a forensic scientist affiliated to the Saudi interior ministry as well as individuals traveling on diplomatic passports, whose luggage would not have been subject to search.
Turkey has steadily leaked details and identities involved in the alleged killing even as officials remain publicly cautious over the affair in an apparent effort to gain diplomatic backing from Washington.
US President Donald Trump has issued varied responses, most recently giving credence to Saudi denials and comparing the treatment of Saudi Arabia to that of his Supreme Court nominee, and now justice, Brett Kavanaugh.
“Here we go again with you’re guilty until proven innocent,” Trump told the Associated Press, even as a top senator in his own party, Lindsey Graham, called for sanctions against Saudi Arabia under the current crown prince.
In Riyadh on Tuesday, Trump’s top envoy was all smiles and laughter in a meeting with 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over Khashoggi’s disappearance.
“The Secretary and the Crown Prince agreed on the importance of a thorough, transparent, and timely investigation that provides answers,” the State Department said in a statement.
Pompeo continued on Wednesday to Turkey, where investigators were still waiting for access to the Saudi consul general’s home.
“Unfortunately, the search at the residence [of the Saudi consul general] did not happen last night. Saudis claimed that his family was inside,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters Wednesday after meeting with Pompeo. “We are hoping to enter the residence today,” he said.
President Erdogan on Tuesday told reporters that investigators, who were allowed to access the consulate itself, were forced to contend with what appeared to be fresh paint on the consulate walls.
Saudi Arabia importants to this administration is not about the $100. Billion ( in reality $15 Billion) arms deal. Its important role is containment of Iran and enabling Israel to do its expansion and destruction. The Israel junta that is running D.C. will do anything to white wash the killing of this journalist. The Khashoghi family has always been a useful tool of Mossad going back to Ask an Khashoghi who was a billionair selling arms to Iraq and Iran during the 80’s. Don’t expect any backlash as Mossad is fully in control on manipulating the news.
Saudi Arabia importants to this administration is not about the $100. Billion ( in reality $15 Billion) arms deal. Its important role is containment of Iran and enabling Israel to do its expansion and destruction. The Israel junta that is running D.C. will do anything to white wash the killing of this journalist. The Khashoghi family has always been a useful tool of Mossad going back to Ask an Khashoghi who was a billionair selling arms to Iraq and Iran during the 80’s. Don’t expect any backlash as Mossad is fully in control on manipulating the news.
*Adnan Khashoghi was one of the uncle of this journalist.
*Adnan Khashoghi was one of the uncle of this journalist.
This story is far deeper than any of the media reports so far. What may make some sense is that Khashoghi was part of a plot by Washinton to replace MBS. That would explain the firestorm coming out of Washington over the murder of a "journalist". US allies murder allies all the time, in Columbia for instance. It doesn’t make the back page of the WaPo or the NYT.
This story is far deeper than any of the media reports so far. What may make some sense is that Khashoghi was part of a plot by Washinton to replace MBS. That would explain the firestorm coming out of Washington over the murder of a "journalist". US allies murder allies all the time, in Columbia for instance. It doesn’t make the back page of the WaPo or the NYT.
Pompeo spent less than 15 minutes in a meeting in Riyahd, but it should be enough to get a number (amount) to take to Erdogen for consideration.
Earlier today, Middle East Eye website published some details of the so-called "interrogation" at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, based on audio recording captured via listening device(s).
Khashoggi was dragged from the consul-general’s office onto a table of his study next door, where he was made unconscious with an injection. Salah Muhammad al-Tubaigy, head of forensic evidence in the Saudi general security department, proceeded to cut up Khashoggi’s body while he was still breathing.
The murder took seven minutes.
Tubaigy was heard saying "When I do this job, I listen to music. You should do [that] too."
A 3-minute version of the audio tape has been given to Turkish newspaper Sabah, though it has not been made public.
Pompeo spent less than 15 minutes in a meeting in Riyahd, but it should be enough to get a number (amount) to take to Erdogen for consideration.
Earlier today, Middle East Eye website published some details of the so-called "interrogation" at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, based on audio recording captured via listening device(s).
Khashoggi was dragged from the consul-general’s office onto a table of his study next door, where he was made unconscious with an injection. Salah Muhammad al-Tubaigy, head of forensic evidence in the Saudi general security department, proceeded to cut up Khashoggi’s body while he was still breathing.
The murder took seven minutes.
Tubaigy was heard saying "When I do this job, I listen to music. You should do [that] too."
A 3-minute version of the audio tape has been given to Turkish newspaper Sabah, though it has not been made public.
Trump & Pompeo will put a fresh coat of paint on this lot [ fake views ] in order to sell armaments to the nation responsible for 9/11
Trump & Pompeo will put a fresh coat of paint on this lot [ fake views ] in order to sell armaments to the nation responsible for 9/11
Adnan was Robin Leach’s fave jet-setter.
Adnan was Robin Leach’s fave jet-setter.
Saudi Arabia says it was a fist fight that killed Khashoggi.
President Trump & Mr Pompero, if that is the case. when you gloss this over, where is the body.?
Saudi Arabia says it was a fist fight that killed Khashoggi.
President Trump & Mr Pompero, if that is the case. when you gloss this over, where is the body.?
Why is there a shock in the West when in fact the West has enabled and simply looked the other way as Saudi Arabia became more and more barbaric? 15 of the 19 hijackers that killed 3,000 people on 9/11 in NYC were Saudis and we invaded Iraq – not Saudi Arabia – "to fight terrorism". This Saudi regime has done more beheadings than all the beheadings done by all the terrorist groups in the Middle East. This regime beheaded a man for being a critic and a woman for being an activist. Yet, Western leaders including Obama and Trump visited Riyadh and not a word about this cesspool of inhumanity. Every blood that is spilled by this regime is blood on the hands of our leaders and Western media.
Why is there a shock in the West when in fact the West has enabled and simply looked the other way as Saudi Arabia became more and more barbaric? 15 of the 19 hijackers that killed 3,000 people on 9/11 in NYC were Saudis and we invaded Iraq – not Saudi Arabia – "to fight terrorism". This Saudi regime has done more beheadings than all the beheadings done by all the terrorist groups in the Middle East. This regime beheaded a man for being a critic and a woman for being an activist. Yet, Western leaders including Obama and Trump visited Riyadh and not a word about this cesspool of inhumanity. Every blood that is spilled by this regime is blood on the hands of our leaders and Western media.
Michael Klopman …you are absolutly correct and have a great memory unlike most Americans that have Amnesia. We always glorify criminals that benefit our cause.
Michael Klopman …you are absolutly correct and have a great memory unlike most Americans that have Amnesia. We always glorify criminals that benefit our cause.