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On December 13th, the US Senate voted to both name Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “responsible” for the murder of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as to end US support for the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen.
The resolution that names MbS as responsible passed the Senate by voice vote in the afternoon of December 13th. And is now to go to the Congress and be voted.
In addition to saying that the Senate “believes Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” the resolution also called for the Kingdom’s government to “to ensure appropriate accountability for all those responsible for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder.”
Finally, it warned that “misleading statements by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the murder of Jamal Khashoggi have undermined trust and confidence in the longstanding friendship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
It was spearheaded by outgoing Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker and it is nonbinding, but it puts the Senate on record that blames the Crown Prince amid growing concern regarding Saudi conduct in the Congress.
“Unanimously, the United States Senate has said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is a strong statement. I think it speaks to the values that we hold dear. … I’m glad the Senate is speaking with once voice unanimously toward this end,” Corker said.
Sen. Bob Menendez’s comments possibly showed how many of the Senators who voted “for” feel. He said that he disagreed with some of the language, but supported the notion, because it directly implicated MbS.
“Regardless of all of my other concerns about language is the central essence of what the chairman is going to do. I think it’s incredibly important for the Senate to speak on that issue and hopefully speak with one voice,” Menendez said.
The approval of the resolution shows a break from President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly said that he stands by Saudi Arabia despite its conduct in Yemen and handling of the Khashoggi debacle. During an interview with Reuters, Trump praised Saudi Arabia as being a “very good ally.”
“I really hope that people aren’t going to suggest that we should not take hundreds of billions of dollars that they’re going to siphon off to Russia and to China, primarily those two, instead of giving it to us. You’re talking about hundreds of thousands of jobs. You’re talking about huge military and other contracts. I hope that’s not going to be a recommendation. But that’s moving along. And some of the senators are coming over to see me,” Trump said.
He also said that, currently, standing by Saudi Arabia meant standing by MbS. “Well, at this moment, it certainly does. He’s the leader of Saudi Arabia. They’ve been a very good ally.”
He seemed more open to not supporting the conflict in Yemen, despite once again blaming Iran for it and “throwing the ball into its court.”
“Well, I’m much more open to Yemen because frankly, I hate to see what’s going on in Yemen. But it takes two to tango. I’d want to see Iran pull out of Yemen too. Because – and I think they will.”
The vote on the resolution to end the US support for the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen passed with 56-41. If it passes the vote in Congress it would require the US President to withdraw any troops in or “affecting” Yemen within 30 days, unless they are fighting al-Qaeda.
“I hope … we send a loud and powerful message by passing this resolution. That we’re going to bring peace to that country and that the United States Congress is going to reassert its constitutional authority to be the body that makes war not the president,” Sen. Bernie Sanders said.
It is yet unsure if the bill would pass in the Congress, and even if it does Trump has threatened to veto it.
On December 12th, the Congress approved a farm bill, at the bottom of which was a provision that says privilege “shall not apply during the remainder of the One Hundred Fifteenth Congress to a concurrent resolution introduced pursuant to … the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544) with respect to Yemen.” Essentially, what it does is that the Congress cannot vote to end the US support in Yemen until 2019.
There was also progress made as a result of the Yemen peace talks. Representatives of Yemen’s government, the UN special envoy Martin Griffiths and members of the Houthi rebel militia are participating in the talks, which are set in the town of Rimbo, north of Stockholm. The talks began on December 4th and were finalized on December 13th.
On December 13th, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres released his remarks praising the progress at the closing of the Intra-Yemeni Consultations.
Today, I hope we are seeing the beginning of the end of one of the biggest tragedies of the 21st century — the conflict in Yemen, the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. My remarks in Sweden https://t.co/33FJuWG7ls pic.twitter.com/gUFfam5b88
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 13, 2018
He announced that an agreement had been reached al-Hudaydah’s port and city, which will see a mutual re-deployment of forces from the port and the city, and the establishment of a Governorate-wide ceasefire. The UN is to play a leading role in the port, in order to facilitate humanitarian access and the flow of goods to the civilians.
Furthermore, a mutual understanding was reached to easy the situation in Taizz, that could possibly lead to the opening of humanitarian corridors and the facilitation of demining.
There was also progress on the prisoners’ exchange, a timeline and details for implementing it were negotiated.
He concluded his remarks expressing his hope that piece can be achieved.
“And finally, very important step for the peace process, you have agreed to engage in the discussions on a Negotiating Framework in the next meeting. This is a critical element of any future political settlement to end the conflict.”
1. “It was spearheaded by outgoing Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker and it is nonbinding”……….non-binding !!!
2. ““Well, I’m much more open to Yemen because frankly, I hate to see what’s going on in Yemen. But it takes two to tango. I’d want to see Iran pull out of Yemen too. Because – and I think they will.”…….. more blame on the Iran, so await the true results of the manipulation in the coming weeks (probably just before Christmas).
3 “The vote on the resolution to end the US support for the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen passed with 56-41. If it passes the vote in Congress it would require the US President to withdraw any troops in or “affecting” Yemen within 30 days, unless they are fighting al-Qaeda.” …….. so it is going to be a stitch up of Trump, or the US cutting their losses and getting out, before the Saudis and coalitions leaves ?.
4. “the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544) with respect to Yemen.” Essentially, what it does is that the Congress cannot vote to end the US support in Yemen until 2019.” ……… personally, I do not understand this, anyone have any assistance ?.
All I can hope for is that THIS TIME, the UN puppets are not up to their usual tricks; but this sounds like their usual smoke and mirrors BS UNLESS the Russian and Chinese UN troops keep the peace with an open mandate to shoot and kill any Saudi Merc causing trouble.
It’s basically a symbolic resolution, as Trump would veto anything binding. But sometimes symbolic is the only victory you’re going to get.
Re: War Powers Resolution, suspending Section 7 – privilege allowing lawmakers to force a vote.
That was the pre-Yellow Vest provision. Another Deep State parliamentary trick for protecting their secret war on Iran (via Yemen) for Israel and ensuring the will of the people of the U.S. can be safely ignored.
The first ‘loss’ for the Deep State was when they failed to get Houthis classified as terrorists earlier this year. That would have permitted the U.S. to stay engaged in Yemen regardless of the War Powers Resolution, just like ‘fighting al Qaeda’ allows us to stay there forever without a declaration of war. Didn’t happen for some reason.
The second Deep State loss was when S. J. RES. 54 (War Powers/Yemen) was forced out of committee, where it was expected – instead – to die a slow death from neglect and be forgotten. In a panic, the Deep State added the pre-Yellow Vest Section 7 suspension to the farm bill, ensuring that even if the Senate later passed Res. 74, lawmakers could not force a vote on it in the House – at least this year. That both prevented it’s passage,
That brings us to yesterday’s Yellow Vest vote, where the Senate could safely vote for the resolution and appear to be following the Constitution and acting in the interest of U.S. citizens. See? No angry American Yellow Vests, no overturned cop cars burning in New York on the news. Senators voting for the resolution quietly assured Saudi Arabia and Israel that nothing would come of it and there would be plenty of time to torpedo it or add more loopholes next year. Everyone’s happy.
Here’s the infuriating item in Res. 54 that assures me Israel (and potentially US pilots) are most likely flying the Saudi aircraft. Another in-your-face Deep State loophole allowing intel, arming, protection and refueling of Israeli-piloted aircraft bombing Yemen. But it’s secret. Shhhh…
Sec. 1 [Removal of U.S. troops and support within 30 days]
SEC. 2. Rule of construction regarding continued Military Operations and Cooperation with Israel.
Nothing in this joint resolution shall be construed to influence or disrupt any military operations and cooperation with Israel.
Sec.3/4 – [Bullshit reports for Congress about threat]