10/12/2018
? .. Where is Jamal Khashoggi
Jamal visited Qatar in September
Saudis have a lot to answer for
By: Hatem El-Gamasy
New York
“Dear Wael, these statements are not to be shared unless I’m kidnapped or assassinated. I know I would be kidnapped or they will assassinate me. I also know how the abuse my rights and those of the Saudi People people.”
These were the words of Prince Turki bin Bandar Al-Saud, he penned to a friend along with some documents to be published in a book in case of his Sudden disappearance.
Prince Turki fled to Paris after being jailed in Arabia for a while. He publicly criticized the regime in Arabia and called for reform. He went missing in 2015.”
It has been a pattern, Saudis have used for decades to silence dissidents and critical voices by any means necessary. However, kidnapping rebellious elements of the royal family and critical figures, has been the Saudis’ favorite method.
Beside Prince Turki bin Bandar who vanished from Paris in 2015, two more princess were kidnapped in the same way in the last few years.
Prince Sultan bin Turki bin Abdulaziz of Geneva in 2003 and Prince Saud bin Saif Al-Nasr of Milan, Italy in 2012.
The case of Mr. Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi prominent writer and the Washington Post columnist is no difference. While he was a soft critic of the regime in Arabia, he managed to stay in good relation with many high-profile personal in the royal family and the government including Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to Washington DC and the younger brother to Mohammad bin Salman, The Crown Prince of KSA.
In a letter released on Monday October 8th, the ambassador said: “Jamel has many friends in the Kingdom including myself.” He also spoke of regular contact with Mr. Khashoggi.
Prince Khalid’s statement confirms what I knew from a confidential source that Jamel met with the ambassador in Washington DC 4 times in the last few months.
I was also informed that Mr. Khashoggi visited Qatar about a month ago in an announced visit.
He boarded the Qatari airliner from London, asked for his passport not to be stamped in Doha airport. He met with the elite of Qatar including the Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al-thani the ruler of Qatar. He discussed the funding for his upcoming organization called DAWN to promote democracy and human rights in the Arab World.
Jamal did not inform the Saudis about his visit to Qatar, but they knew about it.
The Saudis were infuriated, they felt Mr. Khashoggi was playing both sides.
Whether Jamal is still alive or got killed in a botched kidnapping operation, Saudis seem to be trying to buy time as much as possible in hope Mr. Khashoggi case will go cold and be forgotten as many others.
But time may not be on the Saudis side this time, as the case is gaining International momentum. US president and members of the Congress are voicing their concerns, also European Union and the United Nation are demanding answers.
Since Saudis couldn’t prove Mr. Khashoggi left the Consulate on Tuesday October 2nd, they have a lot to answer for. Jamal was never seen again once he stepped into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on that day.
Hatem El-Gamasy,
A New York based writer on US foreign policy and Middle Eastern Affairs