Turkey Says It Will Search Saudi Consulate; Washington Post: 15 Men From Saudi Arabia Were Waiting For Jamal Khashoggi At The Consulate; Wife Of Missing Interpol Chief Speaks To CNN
VAUSE: Well, a new details about the disappearance of a high-profile journalist. Jamal Khashoggi missing now for more than a week after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The Washington Post reports a squad of Saudi men waited for him to enter the consulate last Tuesday. And so, tells The Post, U.S. intelligence intercepted Saudi discussions of plans to capture Khashoggi. His colleagues at the Washington Post are growing increasingly concerned. His editor says she is stunned by the latest revelations.</s>KAREN ATTIAH, GLOBAL OPINION EDITOR, THE WASHINGTON POST: People who -- whom are familiar with like, the regime. You know, they say, you know, you can't put it past them to have done this. At the same time, you know, obviously, this calls into question just what type of U.S. ally would possibly do such a thing. You know, the reports are true to send the hit squad to kill someone who's trying to get married.</s>VAUSE: Jomana Karadsheh, live outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. So, Jomana, if CNN is actually still working to confirm the reporting by the post. But if it is confirmed, if it is true, it would seem to back up what Turkish officials have been saying for quite some time that Khashoggi was actually killed, at least, abducted while he was inside that consulate in Istanbul.</s>JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, John, for the past week or so, there have been so many reports there is been so many leaks, comments by Turkish officials. There have been so many theories as what may have happened to Jamal Khashoggi after he entered the Saudi consulate. But what is missing so far is evidence. At least, publicly we have not seen anything to back any of these claims and allegations and reports that have been coming out as what may have happened. To what we do know is that the Turkish authorities have been working really hard. Since the weekend, they announced that they launched a criminal investigation. They are looking at everything, John. They're saying they're looking at security footage from this entire area. They're looking at entries and exits into the airport, and who may have been at the consulate at the time. We know that they're really focusing on a group of 15 Saudis that something that was mentioned by President Erdogan. And other officials here, they're saying that this group of 15 arrived in the country on Tuesday. The day that Jamal Khashoggi disappeared. That they were in the consulate when he was there. And then, they left the country. Now, we also know that they are looking at the movement of private executive jets that brought them into Istanbul. Now, CNN is been able to confirm that these executive jets owned by a company that provides work. That -- you know, provides -- that is contracted by the Saudi government frequently may have been involved in the movement of those 15. And that one of those jets was here for 24 hours and it was followed by the second one. So, this is something they're looking very closely at. There have been also reports coming out that on that same day, John, that Turkey -- that the Saudi officials of the consulate gave Turkish staff the day off, and also the Guardian Newspaper reporting that the camera footages -- security camera footage in the consulate was taken out of the country by those 15. So, a lot of questions right now. No answers and no evidence at this point in time.</s>VAUSE: And so, with that in mind, Khashoggi's fiancee has written an op-ed in the Washington Post. She's pleading for help for the president to try and shed some light on exactly what happened. Here's part of what she wrote. "Although this incident could potentially purely a political crisis between the two nations, let us not lose sight of the human aspect of what happened. Jamal is a valuable person, an exemplary thinker, and a courageous man who has been fighting for his principles. I don't know how I can keep living if he is abducted or killed in Turkey." And again, is this, this evidence continues to build up against the Saudis and their possible involvement. It seems hard to see a way that this does not end in some kind of political crisis between the Saudis and the Turks.</s>KARADSHEH: Now look, I mean, from day one, John, this looked like it was heading towards the serious diplomatic crisis between the two countries that have not had a really good relationship. They've had a rocky relationship for some time, they've had their disagreements. These are two major powers in this region that have not seen eye-to- eye on several issues. And you know, when you look at what's been going on here, it feels like Turkey has not wanted to push the button to move this to the next level of a full-blown diplomatic crisis just yet. You know, this has been slow moving. President Erdogan has had these very measured statements that we've heard from him. And it feels like everyone here is also waiting for the United States to weigh in. You know, I've heard this from some of Jamal's Khashoggi's colleagues. From as there from his fiancee in the op-ed. They are really looking to President Trump. They are looking to the U.S. administration to put its weight behind Turkey in this to try and use its really close relationship with the Saudi leadership with the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to try and push for answers. The feeling is no one has a relationship that the United States happened that they have a big role to play. And you know, you mentioned the fiancee there. John, I met her 24 hours after the disappearance of Khashoggi right here outside the consulate. She was still waiting for him so emotional. She was in tears saying that she only blames herself for the situation. She's feeling guilty because that's the only reason he went into that consulate to obtain the paperwork that would allow them to get married. You know, we talk about a political crisis in this situation but this is such a personal story also for his friends, his fiancee and others who are involved, John.</s>VAUSE: He just wanted to get married. Oh, boy. Jomana, thank you. Well, the wife of the former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei has told CNN she fears for her life now that her husband has been detained in China. Before heading Interpol, Meng was a senior official within China's Public Security Bureau when has been accused by Beijing of accepting bribes and other unspecified crimes. By Grace Meng's spoke exclusively to CNN's Melissa Bell.</s>GRACE MENG, WIFE OF MENG HONGWEI: No T.V. for them, from the day he lost. No T.V. So, maybe because they are already 7 years old, maybe they can feel something happened. But they think money is crying. I told them mommy have a cold. I don't want to break their hearts.</s>MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Grace shows us a picture her children have drawn for their father. She says, she is speaking out and thus taking on the Chinese state single-handedly for them.</s>MENG: As I do these things for my children, for all over the world, for all of the China's children, for all of the China's wife, for all of the China's daddy, mommy. Also, I know some daddy, mommy can't find their son. I have this responsibility to help other people. I must be -- change the order in China. They always like things made some under table or in the darkroom to makes the deal. My husband and I, we are bright, we are open, we are sunshine. Because I trust ourselves. We are clean.</s>BELL: The last, Grace heard from her husband, Meng Hongwei was last month. When he sent this text with a knife emoji. She waited for his call, but none came. Then, she says she received a threatening call from a stranger. That's when she went to the French police.</s>MENG: We never ever broken the law. I trust me, I trusted my husband. So, we have everything in my home, I can open to all of the worlds.</s>BELL: Are you scared as well?</s>MENG: Of course. So, I need help. I need security.</s>BELL: But despite being under the protection of French police 24 hours a day, she is still scared. Three times during our interview, Grace's phone rang. She says it's the Chinese consulate. Again?</s>MENG: Yes, again.</s>MENG: Hello.</s>UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hello, this is the deputy consulate general.</s>MENG: Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.</s>BELL: Three times Grace hung up. The only person she wants to hear from is her husband. Was he worried before he was taken?</s>MENG: Sometime, he sees his colleague or some people is</s>BELL: Your husband has been taken by Chinese authorities for political reasons.</s>MENG: I think, I only can think this reason. Otherwise, I can't find the any other explained.</s>BELL: Do you think you will see your husband again?</s>MENG: I don't know. But I miss him very much. That's why I always wake up at night.</s>BELL: Melissa Bell, CNN, Lyon.</s>VAUSE: We are live to Florida's Gulf Coast when we come back. And there, they are bracing for a direct hit from Hurricane Michael. Also ahead, new video capturing the terrifying moment's tsunami struck Indonesia. Stay with us, you're watching CNN.