Confronting the Saudis

Human rights

Regarding “Khashoggi’s killers” (Editorial, Wednesday): It is urged that the United States should impose sanctions on a country that engages in kidnapping, arresting and torturing political opponents, killing of dissidents and other violations of human rights. Failure to do so, or worse, to continue to support such actions by providing arms and encouragement should be ended, and the United States should spearhead sanctions immediately.

Oddly enough, no such demand has been made regarding the actions of Israel despite the killing of hundreds of protesters by snipers, including the shooting of five journalists and the killing of another. There has been no outcry over the shooting of thousands at the border, which Israel has claimed as its “right to defend its borders.”

There can be no legitimacy for selective sanctions against countries that are de facto rogue states, countries that sanction the killing of journalists or dissidents or countries that continuously violate human rights or the Fourth Geneva Convention, which was agreed upon in 1949 to protect civilians from harsh treatment during wartime, regardless of their relations with the U.S. Charles Shields, Houston

America first?

President Donald Trump’s mixed signals to the Saudis are a clear indication that this president has no concern for basic human rights. His only concern is what is best for the Trump business interests.

Without seeing his tax returns, without a full accounting of his financial liabilities and entanglements, we cannot know the full scope of his monetary ties to Russian oligarchs and Saudi oilmen. But we do believe they exist.

We know his real estate development business is totally dependent on foreign financing. Every decision he makes is done under that cloud of foreign influence. “America first” is a lie. It has always been and will continue to be Trump first and foremost. Ron Siemers, Houston