By Mohammed Al-Ghamdi
RIYADH — The head of foreign diplomatic corps in the Kingdom has stated that the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), passed by the US Congress recently overriding President Barack Obama’s veto, would not serve American interests.
“All investigations conducted by the United States have acquitted Saudi Arabia of charges of involvement in 9/11 attacks,” said Ziauddin Bamakhrama, who is also Djibouti’s ambassador to Riyadh.
“No new evidence has been found to level charge against the Kingdom. JASTA will not serve American interests and that is the reason President Obama and US politicians have opposed the bill,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.
The ambassador highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant role in humanitarian activities and efforts to promote world peace and stability. “No incident, be it small or big, can shake this great country, which houses the Two Holy Mosques revered by Muslims all over the world,” he said.
Bamakhrama underscored the unity and solidarity of Saudi people with its wise and capable leadership. “The Arab and Islamic countries would stand by Saudi Arabia and work together for the progress and stability of their countries and peoples,” he added.
Speaking about Djibouti’s stand on JASTA, he said President Ismail Omar Guelleh has denounced the move to link Saudi Arabia with 9/11 events, while addressing the UN General Assembly.
“Saudi Arabia plays a major role in the international coalition to fight terrorism,” the ambassador quoted President Guelleh as telling the General Assembly.
However, Bamakhrama said his country would not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries that enact laws to protect the interests of their citizens.
“There are international laws and charters that regulate relations between nations and societies, based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and without harming higher interests,” the ambassador explained.
“This has given birth to the principle of sovereign immunity that regulates international relations for hundreds of years,” he said. “Any move to weaken this immunity would have a negative impact on global peace and stability,” he added.
Bamakhrama said enactment of laws that violate international laws and charters would have a negative effect. He urged world powers to respect and protect international immunity and not to violate international laws in order to safeguard world peace and stability.
