ΑΠΟΚΛΕΙΣΤΙΚΟ: Αυτό είναι το “στρατηγικό σχέδιο” της Σαουδικής Αραβίας να πλήξει καθοριστικά την Τουρκία
In a confidential Emirati document seen by MEE, Mohammed bin Salman’s scheme to confront Erdogan’s government is outlined in full
The intelligence report is one of a monthly series written by the Emirates Policy Centre, a think tank with close links to the Emirati government and security services.
Entitled “Monthly Report on Saudi Arabia, Issue 24, May 2019”, the report is of limited circulation and intended for the top Emirati leadership. It does not appear on the think tank’s website. A copy has been obtained by Middle East Eye.
It reveals that in Riyadh in May, orders were given to implement the strategic plan to confront the Turkish government.
The aim of the plan was to use “all possible tools to pressure Erdogan’s government, weaken him, and keep him busy with domestic issues in the hope that he will be brought down by the opposition, or occupy him with confronting crisis after crisis, and push him to slip up and make mistakes which the media would surely pick up on”.
Middle East Eye contacted the Emirates Policy Centre for comment, with no reply by the time of publication.
Restricting influence
“The kingdom would start to target the Turkish economy and press towards the gradual termination of Saudi investment in Turkey, the gradual decrease of Saudi tourists visiting Turkey while creating alternative destinations for them, decreasing Saudi import of Turkish goods, and most importantly minimising Turkish regional role in Islamic matters,” the report says.
‘Erdogan went too far in his campaign smearing the kingdom, especially the person of the crown prince’– Emirates Policy Centre report
“President Erdogan … went too far in his campaign smearing the kingdom, especially the person of the crown prince, using in the most reprehensible manner the case of Khashoggi,” the reports says.
In the document, the Emirates Policy Centre claims Turkey did not provide “specific and honest” information to assist the Saudi investigation into the killing, but instead leaked “disinformation” to the media “all aimed at distorting the image of the kingdom and attempting to destroy the reputation of the crown prince”.
Both the CIA and leading members of the US Congress have accepted the Turkish intelligence assessment of Khashoggi’s murder.Riyadh had concluded that Erdogan failed in his attempt to politicise and internationalise the case and now was the time to mount the fightback, the report says.
The CIA also concluded that Mohammed bin Salman almost certainly signed off on the operation, an assessment based on its own intelligence as well.
“The accepted position is that there is no way this happened without him being aware or involved,” said a US official familiar with the CIA’s conclusions, the Washington Post reported.
Since then, a report by United Nations human rights investigator Agnes Callamard detailed the difficulties the Turkish authorities had in investigating the murder and gaining access to the consulate building and the home of the consul-general.
Callamard concluded independently that the crown prince ordered Khashoggi’s murder.
The pressure begins
Saudi authorities blocked 80 Turkish trucks transporting textile products and chemicals from entering the kingdom through its Duba port.
A Saudi customer looks at a touristic leaflet brochure about Turkey at a travel agency in the capital Riyadh (AFP)
“Tourist arrivals are decreasing, while we are having problems related to Turkish exports. We are closely following the situation.”
The Turkish official said, however, that Ankara does not believe that Saudi citizens are altering their stance on Turkey, despite the government in Riyadh’s efforts.
“Istanbul, for example, is still full of Saudi tourists. Saudi officials should check the BBC’s poll on Erdogan’s popularity in the Middle East. Then they will realise that they are failing,” the official said.
Erdogan phoned the king on Thursday, raising the problem of Turkish exports being held at Saudi ports.
Another Turkish official, also speaking anonymously, said Erdogan’s phone call with the Saudi king was cordial and focused on regional developments, such as Syria and the Palestine question.
The official, who was informed about the call, said the king was lucid and supportive of Turkish concerns with regard to Syria.
In the same call, Erdogan invited King Salman and his family, including the crown prince, to Turkey.