By Zehra Ulucak and S. Ahmet Aytac

ANKARA

The Washington Post on Wednesday accused the Trump administration of trying to “clean up the Saudis’ mess” while praising Turkey's resolve to clear up the case of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist who went missing at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. 

In an editorial, “Why is the Trump administration cleaning up Saudi Arabia’s mess?” the paper began by criticizing the visit by Mike Pompeo, U.S. secretary of state, to see Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Riyadh.

“Pompeo, who smiled broadly as he greeted Prince Salman, appeared less intent on determining the truth than in helping the de facto Saudi ruler escape from the crisis he triggered,” said the unsigned editorial.

“The Saudis are said to be preparing a cover story that will attribute Mr. Khashoggi’s murder to the excesses of a team that was dispatched to interrogate him. That would deflect blame from the crown prince, who in fact is believed to have ordered and overseen the operation.”

It added that in a phone call with Salman, U.S. “President Trump signaled that he is more than ready to assist in that dodge.”

President Erdogan looks ‘serious’

“Back in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appeared more serious about trying to discover the truth,” continued the editorial.

“But [Turkey's] probe faced considerable obstacles: Erdogan told reporters that the investigators who were finally allowed into the consulate encountered freshly painted walls. Turkish sources told the Associated Press (AP) they have found more evidence backing up their claim that Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered shortly after entering the compound.”

The editorial argued that what “should not be acceptable is a diplomatic cleanup operation conducted by the Trump administration for” Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi is feared killed after he entered the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.

On the same day, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.