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Sale must go on: Trudeau sticks to $1bn arms deal with Saudis despite Khashoggi killing Sale must go on: Trudeau sticks to $12bn arms deal with Saudis despite Khashoggi killing
(35 minutes later)
Canada’s Prime Minister says it is “very difficult” to drop the $1 billion deal on arms sales to Riyadh. It comes despite mounting allegations that the killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was “pre-planned.” Canada’s Prime Minister says it is “very difficult” to drop the $12 billion deal on arms sales to Riyadh. It comes despite mounting allegations that the killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was “pre-planned.”
The murder of the self-exiled writer which Turkey says was planned beforehand “is something that is extremely preoccupying to Canadians, to Canada and to many of our allies around the world” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged. However, even on the heels of the latest tough accusations from Ankara, the North American country is not mulling to halt arms deliveries to the Saudi Kingdom.The murder of the self-exiled writer which Turkey says was planned beforehand “is something that is extremely preoccupying to Canadians, to Canada and to many of our allies around the world” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged. However, even on the heels of the latest tough accusations from Ankara, the North American country is not mulling to halt arms deliveries to the Saudi Kingdom.
Should Canada terminate the deal, massive penalties will follow immediately, taking a toll on taxpayers.  Should Canada terminate the deal, massive penalties will follow immediately, taking a toll on taxpayers. It is estimated that Ottawa would lose around $1 billion.
“I do not want to leave Canadians holding a billion-dollar bill because we are trying to move forward on doing the right thing,” the liberal premier added without elaborating on what “the right thing” would look like.“I do not want to leave Canadians holding a billion-dollar bill because we are trying to move forward on doing the right thing,” the liberal premier added without elaborating on what “the right thing” would look like.
Less than two weeks ago, he also signaled that Canadian-Saudi arms trade will go on as usual, despite again voicing “concerns” about Khashoggi’s fate.Less than two weeks ago, he also signaled that Canadian-Saudi arms trade will go on as usual, despite again voicing “concerns” about Khashoggi’s fate.
According to documents obtained by CBC News in September, Saudi Arabian armed forces are to take delivery of 742 Canadian-built LAV-6 light armored vehicles. The same outlet revealed in March that hundreds of the LAV-6s will be furnished with heavy assault and anti-tank weapons systems. According to documents obtained by CBC News in September, Saudi Arabian armed forces are to take delivery of 742 Canadian-built LAV-6 light armored vehicles. The same outlet revealed in March that hundreds of the LAV-6s will be furnished with heavy assault and anti-tank weapons systems. 
Public outcry over the disappearance of prominent Saudi Arabia critic Khashoggi has been mounting since his mysterious disappearance in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. During a speech on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said there was strong evidence that the killing “was not a momentary result of something that erupted on sight but rather the result of a planned operation.”  Public outcry over the whereabout of prominent Saudi Arabia critic Khashoggi has been mounting since his mysterious disappearance in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. After having initially claimed that the man left the diplomatic mission, Riyadh later caved in and admitted that Khashoggi was killed inside the compound.
During a speech on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said there was strong evidence that the death “was not a momentary result of something that erupted on sight but rather the result of a planned operation.” 
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest consumers of weapons from Westerns powers. However, as chilling new details on Khashoggi’s murder emerge, those countries appear to be divided as to whether beefing up the Saudi war machine is a justifiable choice now.Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest consumers of weapons from Westerns powers. However, as chilling new details on Khashoggi’s murder emerge, those countries appear to be divided as to whether beefing up the Saudi war machine is a justifiable choice now.
Germany, for instance, imposed a blanket ban on weapons deliveries, with Chancellor Angela Merkel noting “the urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened” in the Saudi Consulate. German ally France, however, is keeping silent.Germany, for instance, imposed a blanket ban on weapons deliveries, with Chancellor Angela Merkel noting “the urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened” in the Saudi Consulate. German ally France, however, is keeping silent.
Spain, which has been playing a game of “back and forth” on arms deliveries to Riyadh, has taken Canada’s view on the matter. Though expressing his “dismay” on the killing of the prominent writer, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that sales of precision bombs to the Gulf Kingdom will not be affected. Again, protecting jobs was cited as an excuse to go ahead with the sales. However, Spain, which has been playing a game of “back and forth” on arms deliveries to Riyadh, has taken Canada’s view on the matter. Though expressing his “dismay” on the killing of the prominent writer, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that sales of precision bombs to the Gulf Kingdom should not be affected. Again, protecting jobs was cited as an excuse to go ahead with the sales.
READ MORE: 21 Saudis to lose US visas over Khashoggi murder, Saudi Arabia still an important ally – Pompeo US President Donald Trump, who struck a giant $450-billion arms deal with the Saudi monarchs, is also not keen on losing big here. Calling the Saudis’ handling of the Khashoggi case “a total fiasco from day one,” he still said that there are other ways to “punish” Riyadh.
US President Donald Trump, who struck a giant $450-billion arms deal with the Saudi monarchs, is also not keen on losing big here. Calling the Saudis’ handling of the Khashoggi case “a total fiasco from day one,” he still said that there are other ways to “punish” Riyadh.
For the two weeks since Khashoggi was last seen entering the Istanbul consulate, Riyadh has vehemently denied Turkish accusations that the journalist was killed inside the mission. Later on, the Saudis reluctantly admitted that he died “in a fist fight” with several government officials who were reportedly sent to persuade him to return.
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