The U.S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States will give few more days to Saudi Arabia to investigate the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo said that he had recommended the U.S president give extra time before responding to the growing crisis. Pompeo said, “I told President Trump this morning that we ought to give them a few more days. So that we too have a finalize understanding of the facts. Khashoggi is feared dead after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul at least 2 weeks ago on 2 October 2018. Turkish officials have claimed to have audio and video evidence that Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate.
Saudi Arabia earlier denied any type of involvement in any harm that may have come to the Saudi journalist. Khashoggi visited the diplomatic compound to deal with documents related to his upcoming wedding. Trump tweeted following the meeting with Pompeo that he is waiting for the results of the investigation being conducted jointly between Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returned last night from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. I met with him this morning wherein the Saudi situation was discussed in great detail, including his meeting with…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018
Pompeo informed reporters that he made clear to the Saudi officials during his visit to Riyadh that the United States will take this matter with respect to Khashoggi very seriously. Trump and his administration have experienced criticism over their response to the disappearance of the journalist. Members of U.S Congress also pushed for a rapid response. Trump has said that he doesn’t need to put a strategic and economic partnership at risk. He pointed out the major arms deals between the two nations.
Pompeo said after his meeting with the president, “I think it’s important for us all to remember too, we have a long since 1932. We have a long strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. They made clear to me that they too understand the serious nature of the disappearance of Khashoggi. They also assured me that they will conduct a complete, thorough investigation of all of the facts surrounding Mr. Khashoggi and that they will do so in a timely fashion”.