Trump's Stance on Khashoggi Case Reveals US Hypocrisy: American Analyst
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – An American political commentator said US President Donald Trump’s stance and remarks on Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance and likely murder indicate the hypocrisy of Washington’s human rights agenda.
“Trump just announced that he is not going to punish Riyadh because their military contracts with American weapons firms are too lucrative. This exposes the hypocrisy of America's human rights agenda,” E. Michael Jones, a political analyst in the US state of Indiana, told Tasnim.
Eugene Michael Jones is an American writer, former professor, media commentator and the current editor of Culture Wars magazine.
Following is the full text of the interview.
Tasnim: As you know, Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to get documents for his forthcoming marriage. Saudi officials say he left shortly afterwards but Turkish officials and his fiancée, who was waiting outside, said he never came out. What do you think?
Jones: Under the pretext of getting a marriage license, Khashoggi was lured into the Saudi consulate in Turkey and murdered. His body was then dismembered by his Saudi executioners as they listened to music.
Tasnim: Turkish sources have said the initial assessment of the police was that Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, had been deliberately killed inside the consulate. Riyadh has dismissed the claims. Could you possibly say what motive Riyadh had for this?
Jones: In killing Khashoggi, the Saudis eliminated one of their most dangerous critics. They did this on foreign soil in an attempt to shield themselves from the blame and incriminate their enemies.
Tasnim: US President Donald Trump threatened “severe punishment” for Riyadh if it turned out Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Do you believe Trump will take any action against Riyadh taking into account Washington’s arms deals with Riyadh?
Jones: Trump just announced that he is not going to punish Riyadh because their military contracts with American weapons firms are too lucrative. This exposes the hypocrisy of America's human rights agenda.
Tasnim: When do you think the world would smell the coffee and stand up to Saudi human rights violations?
Jones: The day of reckoning will arrive sooner rather than later.
