US plans sanctions over Kashoggi killing
THE US had identified some of the individuals who killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi and was looking to apply sanctions against them, including people who worked for the government of Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said yesterday.
“We have identified at least some of the individuals responsible, including those in the intelligence services, the royal court, the Foreign Ministry and other Saudi ministries who we suspect to have been involved in Mr Khashoggi’s death,” Pompeo said.
“We are taking appropriate actions, which include revoking visas,” said Pompeo, who visited Saudi Arabia and Turkey last week.
“These penalties will not be the last word on the matter,” Pompeo said, adding that after the US completed its own investigations, more sanctions could be applied to individuals under human rights laws.
“We’re making very clear, the US does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence,” Pompeo said.
The State Department later clarified that 21 Saudi suspects would have their visas revoked, or would not be eligible for visas.
US President Donald Trump meanwhile blasted the Saudi cover-up of the killing of the Washington Post columnist at the country’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2 as “the worst cover-up ever”.
While backing away from his previous support for Riyadh, he seemed determined to save arms sales. He said a final decision on how to react would be decided along with lawmakers in Congress, where outrage is growing.
He said that while Saudi Arabia was in a “nasty part of the world”, this was not an excuse for murder.
“They had a very bad original concept, it was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups,” Trump said at the White House. “Whoever thought of that idea is in big trouble, should be in big trouble,” Trump said.
The director of the CIA, Gina Haspel, is in Turkey and was due back in Washington by today to brief the president.
Pompeo said the US was receiving assistance from Turkey, which has been pushing for a tough stance against Riyadh, a regional rival. |
News Agency (ANA)