In the wake of recent developments in Saudi Arabia, several lawmakers are seeking suspension of civil nuclear cooperation talks with that nation’s government.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) has forwarded correspondence to President Donald Trump requesting his administration suspend any nuclear discussions in the wake of what Markey described as authoritarianism and aggression and away from behaving as a responsible member of the international community.
“Given the recent behavior and actions of senior leaders within the government of Saudi Arabia, it is clear that any nuclear cooperation with the Kingdom is inimical to U.S. interests and values at present,” Markey wrote. “While the United States can and must continually look for opportunities to partner with other nations around the world, bilateral cooperation — especially in fields as sensitive as nuclear energy — must be based on trust, shared values, and without question be in the mutual interest of all parties.”
Additionally, Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Todd Young (R-IN), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Dean Heller (R-NV) also forwarded a letter to President Trump to suspend nuclear negotiations after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.
“The ongoing revelations about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as certain Saudi actions related to Yemen and Lebanon, have raised further serious concerns about the transparency, accountability, and judgment of current decision-makers in Saudi Arabia,” the legislators wrote. “In turn, these serious questions have solidified our reservations about pursuing a potential U.S. civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, and increased our willingness to advance, consistent with procedures in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, a joint resolution of disapproval to block any such agreement at this time.”