Biden speaks directly with Saudi king…
Call ahead of the release of the Kashukji assassination report
Call first on concerns about a crunch in bilateral relations…minimize dissonance
US President Joe Biden [이미지출처=AP연합뉴스]
[아시아경제 김수환 기자] US President Joe Biden spoke with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, King of Saudi Arabia for the first time since taking office. Ahead of the release of the report on the Kashukji assassination, which points to Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, known as Saudi’s real powerhouse, it is interpreted as a step to block the fear of a relationship crunch with Saudi Arabia that is rising both inside and outside the United States.
On the 25th (local time), the White House said that President Biden spoke with King Salman of Saudi Arabia for the first time after taking office. “The two leaders were in a diplomatic effort led by the United Nations and the United States to end the war in Yemen, as well as attacks by Iran-linked groups. “We have discussed security issues in the region, including a promise to help defend Saudi territory.” He added, “We plan to affirm the importance of President Biden to universal human rights and the rule of law, and to make our bilateral relations as strong and transparent as possible.”
The call was made ahead of the release of a report on the US intelligence agency’s assassination of Kashukji. The report contained the possibility that Prince Muhammad bin Salman, the son of King Salman and in power in Saudi Arabia, may have approved or ordered the assassination of Kashukji, raising concerns about a relationship crunch with Saudi Arabia. It is interpreted that President Biden first made the call to give a signal that there is no major damage to the alliance with Saudi Arabia while pressing for Prince Bin Salman.
The New York Times (NYT) said, “It is still unclear whether there was any mention of Kashuk in the normal currency between the two countries. President Biden will have to decide whether to impose sanctions on Crown Prince Muhammad.”
Reporter Kim Soo-hwan [email protected]