Khashoggi disappearance: UK, US might boycott Saudi conference
The disappearance of a vocal critic of the Saudi Arabia government has led to serious consequences for the Middle-Eastern kingdom. After the critic, Jamal Khashoggi, disappeared after a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, many have decided to boycott a Saudi investment conference later this month. Now, the UK and the US are considering doing the same. Here's more.
The mysterious disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi
CCTV footage from October 2 showed Khashoggi, a Washington Post writer, entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He never came out. Khashoggi's disappearance led many to speculate that he had been eliminated by Saudi agents. Meanwhile, a Turkish security source told BBC that officials had audio and video evidence proving that Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia, however, has denied such allegations.
US President Trump has warned of 'severe punishment'
Following the mysterious disappearance and the allegations against Saudi Arabia, Riyadh dismissed the allegations as "lies". However, President Donald Trump warned that the US would inflict "severe punishment" on Saudi Arabia if the kingdom was found to be responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance. Meanwhile, Turkish foreign minister Mevut Cavusoglu accused Saudi Arabia of not cooperating with ongoing investigations.
What we know about the conference boycott
Khashoggi's disappearance, and the subsequent allegations against Saudi Arabia, led many media groups and sponsors to drop out of an investment conference in Riyadh later this month. Now, BBC reports that US Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, and the UK International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, are considering boycotting the event, which will be hosted by Saudi Crown Price Mohamed bin Salman.
US-Saudi Arabia weapons deal unlikely to be called off
That said, it is unlikely that the US will cancel its whopping $110bn weapons deal with the Middle-Eastern kingdom. US President Donald Trump pretty much confirmed the same today, when he said that the US would be "punishing" itself if it didn't sell arms to Saudi Arabia, as China or Russia would immediately fill the void. However, Trump promised to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance.
Trump's thoughts on the US-Saudia Arabia weapons deal
"...I worked very hard to get the order for the military. It's $110 billion. I believe it's the largest order ever made. It's 450,000 jobs...If they don't buy it from us, they're going to buy it from Russia...or China," said US President Trump.
