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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPompeo doubles down on US support for Saudi Arabia, says no evidence of Saudi leader's involvement.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo doubled down Saturday on the United States' support for Saudi Arabia and declined to comment on a CIA assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was involved in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder.
In an exclusive interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Pompeo again noted a lack of direct evidence linking bin Salman to Khashoggi's murder.
"I have read every piece of intelligence that's in the possession of the United States government," Pompeo said. "And when it is done, when you complete that analysis, there's no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is a accurate statement, it is an important statement, and it is a statement that we are making publicly today."
When asked if the CIA has a high confidence of the de facto Saudi leader's involvement, Pompeo told CNN, "I can't comment on intelligence matters."
The secretary of state's comments come as a new report details some intercepts underpinning the CIA's assessment. The Wall Street Journal reports that the intelligence agency's assessment includes electronic communications the crown prince sent to a close adviser who oversaw the 15-man team that killed Khashoggi.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pompeo-doubles-down-on-us-support-for-saudi-arabia-says-no-direct-evidence-of-saudi-leaders-involvement-in-journalists-murder/ar-BBQkVpX?li=BBnb7Kz
SHRED
(28,136 posts)All else is secondary, even murder.
triron
(22,007 posts)Turbineguy
(37,345 posts)drive like that. Eyes closed.
underpants
(182,830 posts)Takket
(21,578 posts)"I have read every piece of intelligence that's in the possession of the United States government," Pompeo said. "And when it is done, when you complete that analysis, there's no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi."
When asked if the CIA has a high confidence of the de facto Saudi leader's involvement, Pompeo told CNN, "I can't comment on intelligence matters."