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| U.S., Saudis, Jointly Seek to Freeze Assets of Charity |
| 2004-01-22 |
| The United States and Saudi Arabia are asking the United Nations to freeze the assets of four branches of a Saudi charity accused of financially supporting Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida terror network, authorities announced Thursday. The four branches of the charity, Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation, are located in Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania and Pakistan, the Treasury Department said. "These branches have provided financial, material and logistical support to the al-Qaida network and other terrorist organization," the department said. A Saudi charity, supporting terror networks? Is there any other kind? The governments of the United States and Saudi Arabia want the United Nations to add the four branches to a blacklist of suspected terrorist financiers, which member countries Not in those names, I’m sure. Thursday’s announcement builds on previous action between the two countries involving Al-Haramain. The two countries on March 11, 2002, acted jointly to block the funds of the charity’s branches in Somalia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Authorities said those branches diverted charitable contributions to bankroll terrorist activities. Al-Haramain, based in Saudi Arabia, has denied any link to terror activities and said it was only involved in charity work for the poor. "You know how much C-4 costs these days?" The Saudi government in 2003 ordered Al-Haramain to close all of its overseas branches, Treasury said. "Al-Haramain stated it closed branches in Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania and Pakistan, but continued monitoring by the United States and Saudi Arabia indicates that these offices and or former officials associated with these branches are either continuing to operate or have other plans to avoid these measures," the department said. Shocked I am, shocked! Last month, the United States acted to freeze the assets of Vazir, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Travnik, Bosnia, and a key representative of the group, Safet Durgut. U.S. officials said Vazir was picking up where the closed Bosnia branch of Al-Haramain left off. Just changed the name on their stationary, they didn’t even bother to move to new offices. Some in Congress, however, have raised questions about Saudi Arabia’s cooperation in the war on terror and have criticized the Bush administration’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., and other lawmakers have contended that in an attempt to maintain good relations with the kingdom because of its oil, U.S. officials ignore its lack of democracy, religious intolerance and halfhearted efforts to fight terrorism. In good time, Chuck, in good time. Nice to know we can count on you to support military action......hey, get back here! But Bush administration officials have said there have been encouraging signs of change from the Saudis since May 12, when suicide bombings in Riyadh, the capital, killed dozens of people, including some Americans. "What kind of signs?" "You know, signs." |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 Circle jerks? |
| Posted by: Steve 2004-1-22 2:33:53 PM |
| #2 Robert - Knowing Soddy Arabica, wouldn't that be "Crap circles"? Ed. |
| Posted by: Ed Becerra 2004-1-22 2:23:03 PM |
| #1 Crop circles? |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2004-1-22 12:22:05 PM |