Yesterday the pro-Erdogan newspaper Yeni Safak reported that Turkey had shared the audio recordings with the US, or so it seemed:
Turkish officials have told Reuters that authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States. Saudi Arabia has denied any role in Khashoggi’s disappearance.
I know it says ‘evidence’ but it was in the article about the audio recordings and what they revealed. What better ‘evidence’ could there be?
But apparently that’s not the case and Turkey is now refusing to share the audio recordings with the US:
Pro government Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak : Ankara will not, for the time being, share an audio recording with the United States that allegedly shows clear evidence that Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul
Pro government Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak : Ankara will not, for the time being, share an audio recording with the United States that allegedly shows clear evidence that Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbulhttps://t.co/y6ihGhm0gW
— Mohamed Yehia (@yeh1a) October 18, 2018
I had a Turkish friend of mine confirm that is indeed what the article said. He said it means “Turkey is not sharing video and voice recording with USA at this point.”
If they aren’t going to share the audio then we can’t be sure it even exists and it puts into question everything they are saying.
Pompeo is, for now, reserving judgement until they have all the evidence. He is recommending to Trump that they give Saudi Arabia a few more days to finish their investigation:
WATCH: Sec. Pompeo says he has advised President Trump that the Saudis should be provided “a few more days” to complete their investigation into the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi before the US decides how the US should respond. – @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/5JNhzJ2CQ5
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) October 18, 2018
After meeting with @POTUS, @SecPompeo tells press he believes that between Saudi and Turk investigations, the US will get a "full picture" of what happened to Jamal Khashoggi. Says he urged Pres to give Saudis "a few more days" to complete their investigation. pic.twitter.com/hk77onVLWI
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 18, 2018
Speaking to reporters outside the West Wing, Pompeo said Saudis committed to conduct a "complete, thorough investigation in a timely fashion." He also reiterated that the US and Saudi Arabia have a long strategic relationship. Said the US committed to "allow the facts to unfold." pic.twitter.com/O5t7thopUG
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 18, 2018
Pompeo says he made clear to Saudi leaders that the US takes the matter of what happened to Jamal Khashoggi "very seriously." He said they assured him "they too understand the serious nature" of Khashoggi's disappearance. pic.twitter.com/UAAgV8iuiN
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 18, 2018
Pompeo says Saudis assured him their report on what happened to Khashoggi will be "transparent - for everyone to see, to ask questions about and inquire about its thoroughness."
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 18, 2018
The Secretary told reporters "its important to remember" that the US strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dates back to 1932. And he said "we need to be mindful" that it continues to be an important counterterrorism partner. pic.twitter.com/q4IJ5XwBpn
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 18, 2018
Asked if Saudi Arabia can be trusted to produce an honest report on Khashoggi, Pompeo said once it's produced, "all of us will get a chance to make a determination as to the credibility of the work that went into that, whether it’s truly accurate, fair, and transparent." pic.twitter.com/Zm1nbY5yzF
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 18, 2018
UPDATE:
Trump just weighed in on this with a couple of tweets:
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returned last night from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. I met with him this morning wherein the Saudi situation was discussed in great detail, including his meeting with...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018
...the Crown Prince. He is waiting for the results of the investigations being done by the Saudis and Turkey, and just gave a news conference to that effect.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018
UPDATE 2:
Mnuchin has just announced he’s pulling out of a Saudi Arabia conference:
Just met with @realDonaldTrump and @SecPompeo and we have decided, I will not be participating in the Future Investment Initiative summit in Saudi Arabia.
— Steven Mnuchin (@stevenmnuchin1) October 18, 2018