“I cannot understand that language,” Mattis said.

11-28-2018      Trump/Pompeo/Mattis see no MbS smoking gun

Mattis also told reporters that he has “personally read all the intelligence,” on the slaying, but that he had not listened to the audio recording of the killing as he does not know the language or if the administration possesses a copy of the tape.

“I cannot understand that language,” Mattis said. “I read the translations of what is alleged to be the tapes.

“We do not have the tapes. We do not have the tapes.  Least I am not aware that we do.  But I have read the translation twice, the day they were given to me.”

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/418792-mattis-no-smoking-gun-tying-saudi-crown-prince-to-khashoggi-killing

                          -Mattis takes the low low position
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The Saudi ministry warned (again again again again) that the kingdom would not tolerate any "disrespect" of its rulers.   https://www.france24.com/en/20181217-saudi-arabia-slams-us-senate-interferece-after-yemen-khashoggi-votes 
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