WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden, making ready for a visit to Saudi Arabia amid criticism of its poor human rights report, defended his determination in a newspaper opinion piece, insisting that he had lengthy supported reforms and sought to “reorient but not rupture” relations with a longstanding strategic companion.
In the article posted on-line Saturday evening by The Washington Post, Biden pointed to developments within the Middle East that he contended had made the area extra secure and safe than when the Trump administration ended, amongst them intense diplomacy in addition to navy motion in opposition to state-sponsored assaults. But his framing of the Saudi relationship specifically appeared defensive, particularly with some within the U.S. demanding that he not lend legitimacy to the federal government with a go to.
Biden linked U.S. energy and safety to countering Russian aggression and competitors from China, then argued that partaking instantly with international locations like Saudi Arabia might assist promote these efforts. The president stated he aimed to strengthen a U.S.-Saudi partnership “going forward that’s based on mutual interests and responsibilities, while also holding true to fundamental American values.”
“I know that there are many who disagree with my decision to travel to Saudi Arabia,” Biden wrote. “My views on human rights are clear and long-standing, and fundamental freedoms are always on the agenda when I travel abroad, as they will be during this trip, just as they will be in Israel and the West Bank.”
It was notable that Biden’s op-ed appeared within the Sunday opinion part of the Post, whose author Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi brokers in 2018.
On that challenge, Biden contended he had responded with sanctions in opposition to the Saudi forces concerned within the killing and issued scores of visa bans for anybody discovered harassing dissidents overseas. The president additionally famous that he launched a U.S. intelligence report that asserted Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had authorized of the operation that led to Khashoggi’s homicide.
Biden is anticipated to satisfy with the crown prince throughout his journey.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”