Trump's Response To Khashoggi Murder Betrays American Values - Washington Post CEO

NEW YORK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st November, 2018) US President Donald Trump's response to the killing of columnist Jamal Khashoggi by the Saudi government betrays American values, Washington Post CEO Fred Ryan said in a statement.

"President Trump's response to the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi is a betrayal of long-established American values of respect for human rights and the expectation of trust and honesty in our strategic relationships," Ryan said on Tuesday. "He is placing personal relationships and commercial interests above American interests."

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman could have been aware of the prepared murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, but the United States is determined to remain a committed partner of Saudi Arabia.

Trump also said that if the United States cancels defense contracts with Saudi Arabia, Russia and China would become enormous beneficiaries.

Ryan added if there is a reason to doubt the Central Intelligence Agency's conclusion - as reported by the media - that the Saudi Crown Prince directed the murder of Khashoggi, President Trump should immediately make that evidence public.

Last week, media reported that the CIA had concluded bin Salman personally ordered the killing of Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2.