International concern continues to grow over the whereabouts of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Washington Post writer. Khashoggi vanished on a visit to Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2. Yesterday Turkey and Saudi Arabia conducted a joint “inspection” of the consulate—nearly two weeks after Khashoggi’s disappearance.
Khashoggi has been an outspoken critic of Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen, its recent spat with Canada, and its arrest of women’s rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women’s driving. He also wrote critically of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Germany, France, and Britain are calling for a full investigation. President Donald Trump says Saudi Arabia could face “severe punishment” if it is involved in the disappearance.
Saudi Arabia denies any involvement. Trump spoke by phone to Saudi King Salman yesterday. The king insists that he does not know what happened to the missing journalist.
Saudi officials warn that if Saudi Arabia “receives any action, it will respond with greater action.” The Arabic-language daily Okaz wrote an English headline on Monday, warning: “Don’t Test Our Patience.” The Arab News said: “Saudi Arabia ‘will not be bullied’.” Some experts think Saudi Arabia could use its oil production as a weapon.
Despite Saudi warnings, international business leaders are pulling out of the kingdom’s upcoming investment forum. They include the CEO of Uber, a company in which Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars; billionaire Richard Branson; JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon; and Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford.
Embassies and consulates are technically foreign soil and must be protected by host nations, so a consulate search is almost unheard of. Saudi Arabia may have agreed to the search to appease the international community. But it remains unclear what evidence, if any, remains this long after Khashoggi's disappearance.
(AP Photo: A security guard looks out from the entrance of Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Sunday, October 14, 2018.)
