Journalist’s murder can’t be without consequences

At a White House news conference, a reporter asked National Security Advisor John Bolton if he had listened to the Turkish audio of the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Bolton answered that he had not listened, and questioned why he should when he doesn't understand Arabic.

Maybe Bolton doesn't understand Arabic, but surely he understands the language of torture when he hears it. Listening to someone screaming and hollering while being tortured does not require an interpreter.

The CIA concluded the crown prince of Saudi Arabia ordered the murder. But President Donald Trump refuses to believe it, saying maybe the crown prince did it and maybe he didn't. Trump chooses to side with Saudi Arabia and maintain his personal friendship with the crown prince. That's the President's position.

The U.S. Senate is holding closed-door hearings on the matter. Trump has forbidden CIA Director Gina Haspel's attendance because she has listened to the audio. He doesn't want the truth to come out. Why? Because he wants to continue to do business with the Saudi family, which will increase his personal wealth.

Marie Belle Kelly

Norway