Due process for all
Re: U.S. must act if Saudis are guilty. Eli Lake, Oct. 12
To be viewed as consistent the Trump administration must be careful not to jump to public conclusions about the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. After preaching about the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence during the Kavanaugh spectacle the Trump administration can’t come out without corroboration and say that it is likely, or that they believe something specific happened especially when an international partner vehemently denies it and is critical on very important issues. Ian Keough, Toronto If we want to see major change in human rights and freedoms, Saudi Arabia should be made an example of. If President Trump would like to foster a new age he now has been given that opportunity.
When I think of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi I am reminded of all the detractors who have been persecuted through history; I am not going to give a history lesson but just that we keep this in mind.
What has happened in Istanbul is atrocious and atrocities have never been given their proper spotlight during the time that it occurred, however I believe that time has come. This issue is now forefront upon the world stage and we should take full advantage of his “martyrdom.”
Right now the world has a chance to act and nations have a chance to act. Condemnation is a social tool that we use politically. When condemnation does not work we then look to other avenues to effectively persuade others. When a line has been crossed actions must be taken to correct them. To step it up further is to implement sanctions.
This situation regarding Jamal Khashoggi has the potential to interrupt the power balance in the petroleum industry. Imagine if you will a trade embargo on every country that deals with Saudi Arabia, is that not a wake up call? The balance of wealth could change in regards to petroleum exports and the U.S. has the power to make it happen, what greater wake-up call could one get? We can implement change without violence, death and destruction.
America may miss out on trade deals with Saudi Arabia but is that not worth a better world?
Russell Samways, Bezanson, Alta.