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Hambali reveals al-Qaeda financial links
Transcript of radio report:MARK COLVIN: American interrogators appear to have uncovered the first publicly known financial links between al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah â the south-east Asian group accused of the bombings in Bali. The man described as JIâs operations chief, Hambali, has reportedly told his interrogators that al-Qaeda sent US$100,000 to help the families of the men who executed the Bali attacks. Part of the "Cash for Boomers" program. But the cash was apparently diverted to fund the Marriott Hotel bombings in Jakarta this year. Cuz killing people is Job #1. Rafael Epstein reports. RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Hambali was arrested last month in Thailand, and was apparently taken to Americaâs massive base at Bagram in Afghanistan. Thatâs the second source reporting that fact. Jakartaâs Media Indonesia newspaper says in his interrogation, Hambali claims al-Qaeda had been quote "very satisfied" by last yearâs Bali bombings. So satisfied that al-Qaeda sent two special payments worth US$100,000 to support the families of more than 30 people arrested over the Bali attacks. But the money was diverted by JI leaders to the Marriott bombing in Jakarta last month. That killed 12 people, just a week before Hambaliâs arrest. Speaking from Boston, JI expert, Zachary Abuza. ZACHARY ABUZA: It tells us a lot about JI and how theyâre moving their money about and what theyâre using it for. If the reports are truth, thatâs a really a page out of the Palestinian handbook, in terms of maintaining popular support that the organisation feels that it has to take care of their own. Also the fact that they divert funds earmarked for the families to more violence is very palestinian. I really would be fascinated to know from the interrogations how much they thought out this strategy as a long-term effort to recruit, to train people, but more importantly, to let them know that their loved ones will be looked after. RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Hambali apparently said JI raised money in Indonesia from companies that sell bananas, coconut milk and oil. But heâs also claimed al-Qaeda sent him operational funds. And it appears his brother, Rusman Gunawan, arrested in Pakistan last month, also helped fund the group. An Indonesian consulate official in Karachi said Hambaliâs brother, had transferred US$50,000 from Pakistan to Hambali in Jakarta on orders from a Saudi Arabian man living in Thailand. Weâd like to know more about this Saudi, please. ZACHARY ABUZA: Now weâre starting to learn much more about the relationship between al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah. And al-Qaeda obviously sees the south-east Asian branch as important players who deserve financing, whose attacks can be beneficial to the al-Qaeda cause. Theyâve been the most active branch office, right ahead of Kenya. Stands to reason theyâd get the most funding. Second, the most important information would be members who have not been rounded up, different cells that⊠and some of the details about how the different cells communicate, what are their means of communications, different code words they use, future strategies they were looking up, factionalism within the organisation. So there is quite a bit of information to be garnered from him. Which is why weâre squeezing his brain dry. RAFAEL EPSTEIN: Indonesia has had success tracking down those who carried out the Bali bombings. But Jakarta is still waiting to be allowed to directly question Hambali so they can find the leaders of JI. Jakartaâs also asked Pakistan if they can speak to Hambaliâs brother and five other Indonesia JI suspects who were arrested in Karachi. You can talk to them after weâve finished. Please submit questions if youâd like them answered sooner, weâll get back to you. Posted by: Steve 2003-09-29 |
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