Mattis says U.S. must balance rights concerns with 'strategic' Saudi ties
By Karen DeYoung November 21 at 6:08 PM
The United States must balance its concerns about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record with the need to maintain a “strategic relationship” with the Saudis, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday.
In his first extended comments on last month’s killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul, Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon that “there has to be accountability for anyone involved in the murder. Yes, I’m calling it murder.”
“We’re not going to apologize for our human rights stance,” he said. “Nor are we going to apologize for working with Saudi Arabia when it’s necessary for the good of innocent people who are in trouble.”
“Presidents don’t often get the freedom to work with unblemished partners,” Mattis said.
It was in American interests to work with the Saudis to “stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen,” he said. He also credited the Saudis with assisting in stepped-up U.S. efforts to bring the Taliban and the Afghan government together for reconciliation talks.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mattis-says-us-must-balance-rights-concerns-with-strategic-saudi-ties/2018/11/21/ce13113e-edbf-11e8-baac-2a674e91502b_story.html
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Another NO GOOD RUMPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 