Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said in a online events last week that Mr. Biden took office with the intention of ensuring that the United States’ relationship with Saudi Arabia “is serving our interests, as well as our values, as we move forward.” before”.
Mr Blinken added: “But it also has to be preserved, because it also helps us accomplish many important things.”
He did not mention Saudi Arabia’s growing military and security ties with China, which he and Biden both see as the most enduring challenge facing the United States.
Separately, an advocacy group made up of relatives of those killed on September 11, 2001, the attacks are using the prospect of Mr Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia to increase pressure on Mr. with the US government. links between Saudi government officials and the hijackers. On Tuesday, family members sent government leaders two letters on the subject with about 1,800 signatures, according to an organizer of the effort, Brett Eagleson, whose father was killed at the tower south of the World Trade Center.
The first lettersubmitted to Congress, requesting an oversight hearing to scrutinize connections between Saudi government officials and the September 11 plot. Second letterto Mr. Biden and Mr. Blinken, asking the State Department to take the special step of designating Saudi Arabia as a state sponsors terrorismthis would subject the oil-rich country to economic sanctions.
They wrote in both letters: “Almost 21 years on, we remain determined to hold the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accountable for its role in the mass murder of our loved ones. I.
Last year, ahead of the 20th anniversary of the attacks, family members on September 11 pressured Mr. Biden to declassify documents from government surveillance for Saudi links. Saudi Arabia. Mr. Biden issued an executive order that resulted in the Roll release of such materials. The letters cited excerpts, including 130-page overview that the FBI wrote in July 2021 it claimed that an investigation determined that the two hijackers were supported by a network centered on offices affiliated with the Saudi government, including their Los Angeles consulate .
Charlie Savage contribution report.
