WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Biden Administration’s recent declassification of the U.S. intelligence report regarding the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
“Last week President Biden took a long overdue, major diplomatic step that the previous administration refused to: His administration publicly acknowledged the obvious truth that Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi. This significant step is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to fundamentally reset our relationship with the Kingdom. The relationship has already started to change and will continue to change. It will not, and cannot, be business as usual.
“For instance, under President Biden the United States has ended support for offensive operations by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Following the declassification of the Khashoggi intelligence, more than 70 members the crown prince’s special security forces have been sanctioned by the Biden administration for their various roles in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
“Mohammed bin Salman’s actions and decisions resemble a brutal dictator focused solely on maintaining his own personal power. While the Kingdom has a clear role in achieving peace and stability in the region, we must be clear-eyed about the crown prince: He does not share our values.”
“Last week President Biden took a long overdue, major diplomatic step that the previous administration refused to: His administration publicly acknowledged the obvious truth that Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi. This significant step is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to fundamentally reset our relationship with the Kingdom. The relationship has already started to change and will continue to change. It will not, and cannot, be business as usual.
“For instance, under President Biden the United States has ended support for offensive operations by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Following the declassification of the Khashoggi intelligence, more than 70 members the crown prince’s special security forces have been sanctioned by the Biden administration for their various roles in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
“Mohammed bin Salman’s actions and decisions resemble a brutal dictator focused solely on maintaining his own personal power. While the Kingdom has a clear role in achieving peace and stability in the region, we must be clear-eyed about the crown prince: He does not share our values.”
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