France, Germany and UK demand truth on Khashoggi death

Saudi Arabia – Arms sales – Reply by Mme Florence Parly, Minister for the Armed Forces, to a question in the National Assembly

Paris, 24 October 2018

Let’s not mix everything up.

Firstly, there’s the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. It’s a murder. This murder was committed against a journalist. So it’s also an appalling attack on press freedom. It’s extremely serious. It’s why we, France, are calling for full light to be shed [on the circumstances], for a credible investigation to be carried out and for those responsible to be clearly identified. And it’s on the basis of this investigation’s conclusions that we shall draw our own conclusions and that decisions will be taken.

You mentioned a second issue: the situation in Yemen. That country is being ravaged by civil war and terrorism. It’s civilians who are paying the highest price. The conflict has lasted too long, and believe me, the government is fully conscious of this. That’s why it’s taking action to seek, with the countries concerned, a political solution to this humanitarian tragedy.

Finally, regarding arms exports, I’d like to dispel a myth. No, we don’t sell arms the way we sell baguettes. The rule is clear: all arms sales are banned without express authorization. This express authorization, as you know, ladies and gentlemen deputies, comes about through very rigorous scrutiny, on a case-by-case basis, bringing together several ministries, in order to very precisely assess all the risks. Let’s not mix everything up!./.

Saudi Arabia – Telephone conversation between M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, and King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia – Press communiqué issued by the Presidency of the Republic

Paris, 24 October 2018

French President Emmanuel Macron had a telephone conversation with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud on Wednesday 24 October, as part of the strategic dialogue and historic relations between France and Saudi Arabia.

The two leaders discussed the investigation into the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. President Macron expressed his outrage at the crime and called on the King to ensure full light is shed on the circumstances which led to the tragedy. He reminded the Saudi monarch that defending freedom of expression, press freedom and public freedoms is an essential priority for France. France will not hesitate to impose international sanctions against the culprits, in coordination with its partners.

The two leaders also discussed regional issues, mainly Yemen and Syria./.

Saudi Arabia – Joint statement by the foreign ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on Jamal Khashoggi’s death

Paris, 21 October 2018

The violent death of Jamal Khashoggi within the premises of the Saudi Consulate General in Istanbul had been feared for many days but its confirmation still comes as a shock. Nothing can justify this killing and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. ‎Defending freedom of expression and a free press are key priorities for Germany, the United Kingdom and France‎. The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists, under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations.

Our thoughts ‎are today ‎with Mr Khashoggi’s family, his fiancée and his friends – who have worried about him for weeks, and to whom we extend our most heartfelt condolences.

We take note of the Saudi statement which gives their preliminary findings. Yet there remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened on 2 October – beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible. We thus stress that more efforts are needed and expected towards establishing the truth in a comprehensive, transparent and credible manner. We will ultimately make our judgement based on the credibility of the further explanation we receive about what happened and our confidence that such a shameful event cannot and will not ever be repeated. We therefore ask for the investigation to be carried out thoroughly until responsibilities are clearly established and that there is proper accountability and due process for any crimes committed.

We will stay in close contact with our Saudi partners in that regard.

The quality and significance of the relationship we have with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also rests with the respect we have for the norms and values to which the Saudi authorities and us are jointly committed under international law./.

Disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi – Press briefing by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Spokesperson (excerpt)

Paris, 12 October 2018

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The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul on 2 October is giving rise to serious questions about his fate. France asks that the facts be clearly established and that all those who can contribute to determining the truth cooperate fully. It is this message that we have conveyed to the Saudi authorities. The accusations against them call for transparency on their part and a full, detailed response.

Defending the freedom of the press and freedom of expression as well as the protection of journalists are priorities for France, as nearly 800 journalists have been killed worldwide while exercising their profession or because of that profession over the past 10 years according to RSF, with 90% of the crimes committed against journalists receiving no judicial follow-up./.