Friday’s statement by President Joe Biden indicated that he had not changed his opinions on human rights, despite the praise his administration gave Saudi Arabia for enabling key oil producers to increase production. Biden, a presidential candidate had promised to make the Kingdom a “pariah”, over its abuses.
Biden stated that he wasn’t certain whether he would be going to Saudi Arabia, and had “no immediate plans at the moment” for the trip. Biden acknowledged that he hopes to meet leaders from Israel and other Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, in the future.
These comments are coming as the White House is being more specific about the trip. According to a person familiar with White House planning, Biden is likely to visit Saudi Arabia and Israel. This would be in addition to a planned trip to Europe this month for two summits. However, details are not finalized. The source was not authorized to speak publicly.
Biden said, “Look, my views on human rights are not changing,” when Biden was asked about his comments on the May jobs report. “But, as President of the United States, I have the responsibility to bring peace if possible, and peace if necessary. That’s exactly what I intend to do.
He pledged to treat Saudis like a “pariah”, as a presidential candidate, for the 2018 murder and dismemberment U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Jamal Khashoggi was a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s violent ways. U.S. intelligence officers determined that the crown Prince likely approved of the killing.
Biden is enjoying the weekend at his Delaware beach house and he dodged questions from reporters about whether he would meet the prince. He is often called MBS (his initials), if he visits the kingdom.
Biden stated that “Look, it’s getting way ahead ourselves here.” “What I want is to see to it we decrease the likelihood of there being a continuation of these, some of the foolish wars between Israel, the Arab nations, and this’s what my focus is on.”
The OPEC+ Group, which includes OPEC countries plus Russia, announced Thursday that they would increase production by 648,000 barrels per hour in July and August. This will provide some relief to a global economy that has been severely affected by Russia’s invasion.
OPEC, whose leader de facto is Saudi Arabia has resisted White House pressures to increase oil supplies more quickly for months. Prices have risen due to this stance and an agreement by the European Union to stop most Russian oil imports. Due to the lack of refinery capacity to convert crude oil into motor fuel, diesel and gasoline prices have also risen.
Biden called Friday’s OPEC+ move “positive,” but said he didn’t know if it would have enough impact to benefit Americans at the pump. Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, credited Saudi Arabia’s role in “achieving consensus” within the bloc of oil producers.
The White House praised Saudi Arabia for its efforts to secure an OPEC+ promise. This week, the president praised the Saudis for their “courageous leadership” in agreeing to a 60 day cease-fire extension in the war with Yemen that has been going on for seven years. Thursday also saw the announcement of the extension.
