Business & Finance

Saudi says no plans for embargo despite Khashoggi row

Moscow | Saudi Arabia said on Monday it had no plans to repeat its harsh 1973 oil embargo, even as relations with the West sour following the killing of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi.

Riyadh, long the world’s biggest oil producer, hiked prices sharply during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, setting off a wave of inflation that plunged developed economies into years of crisis.

Saudi Oil Minister Khaled al-Faleh told the TASS news agency that “there is no intention” of repeating the events of 1973.

“Saudi Arabia is a completely responsible country. For decades, we have used our oil (production) policy as a responsible economic tool and we have kept it apart from politics,” Faleh was quoted as telling TASS in an interview in Riyadh.

“If oil prices were to rise too much, that would slow the global economy and set off a global recession.

“Saudi Arabia has been coherent in its policy. We work to stabilise global markets and to facilitate global economic growth,” he added.

Riyadh’s changing accounts of what happened to Khashoggi, an insider turned critic of the government, have run into increasing western scepticism, with even firm ally US President Donald Trump saying the government had lied about what happened.

In its latest version, the government conceded that Khashoggi was killed by mistake in its Istanbul consulate but this only sparked more calls for a complete and transparent investigation, coupled with the threat of sanctions.

“This incident will pass,” al-Faleh forecast.

Dear Readers,
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
Some error occurred

Related posts

National

Key witness against rape accused Bishop Mulakkal found dead in Jalandhar

TestHostEntry

Jalandhar | A key witness in the Kerala Nun rape case against Bishop Francis Mulakkal was found dead at the St. Mary’s Church in Jalandhar on Monday.

Father Kuriakose Katthuthara had earlier filed a complaint and recorded a statement to the police against Bishop Mulakkal in connection with the rape case of a nun of Missionaries of Jesus. Katthuthara’s family has accused the police of delay in informing about the death Father Katthuthara. The family said that they received a call around 11 am on Monday and were told that Kuriakose had died on Friday night. “The delay in informing them about the death has added to their suspicion,” they added.

Informing the media about the death of Father Katthuthara, Father Peter from Jalandhar diocese told media, “Today in the morning at 10, he didn’t wake up, so the sisters went and checked on him. When he didn’t open the door, they called for help. The door was then broken and Kuriakose was found unconscious and there was vomit in the room. We took him to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead.” Father Peter also ruled out the connection of death with Francis Mulakkal case. He said,” We are not enemies, we are all good friends.”

Earlier in an interview to local media, Father Katthuthara had alleged of being under severe pressure by church officials for supporting the nun who had charged rape allegations against the bishop. He said, “The sisters had approached me complaining about Bishop Franco. They did not approach the Kerala police fearing the bishop. In fact, I fear what will happen to me for speaking out against him.”

The Kerala High Court had earlier last week granted an conditional bail to Roman Catholic Bishop Francis Mulakkal. He is facing allegations of repeatedly raping and sexually harassing a nun from 2014 to 2016.

Related posts