Saudi Arabia Issues Statement on JASTA

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued the following statement today:

The enactment of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) is of great concern to the community of nations that object to the erosion of the principle of sovereign immunity, which has governed international relations for hundreds of years. The erosion of sovereign immunity will have a negative impact on all nations, including the United States. That is why the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the CIA have expressed their opposition to JASTA as it has been drafted. JASTA has been opposed publicly by many nations as well as dozens of American national security experts who see the dangers that JASTA represents.

It is our hope that wisdom will prevail and that Congress will take the necessary steps to correct this legislation in order to avoid the serious unintended consequences that may ensue.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office