Washington fails to shut down money pipeline that finances Islamic insurgency
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Fazle Rashid from New York
Many million dollars are flowing largely unimpeded to Islamic Jihaddist groups worldwide despite the vow the United States made to shut down money pipeline that finances Islamic insurgency. Washington has grown frustrated by the frequent resistance from close allies in the Middle-East. The US officials suspect financiers are using various methods including bank robbery as in Yemen, kidnapping for ransom, drug proceeds in Afghanistan and fund raising during Hajj and Ramadhan.
A classified memo by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent last December makes clear the resistance by Saudi Arabia and its neighbours, all trusted allies of the United States who are chief financial supporters of many terrorist activities, reported the New York Times (NYT) in a front-page story on Monday. It has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority, the same report said. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait are doing enough to stop funding. The Islamic Jihaddists are threatening stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan and targetting coalition soldiers. The US underscores the need to block money to Jihaddists. America’s coalition partners accused the US officials of high-handedness and presenting thin evidence of wrong doings by Arab charities or individuals.
Kuwaiti officials called draconian measures sought by the US against a prominent charity and dismissed the allegations as unconvincing. Richard Holbrook, US special envoy to AfPak, said al-Qaeda’s ability to raise funds has deteriorated and it is now in its weakest since 9/11.
Saudi Arabia is totally dependent on the CIA. Washington praises Saudi Arabia for stepping up action against terrorist funding. Interaction and coordination with Saudi Arabia has improved. Washington is far from happy with Riyadh and faults it for failing to set up a committee to prevent charities from financing terrorism.
Many million dollars are flowing largely unimpeded to Islamic Jihaddist groups worldwide despite the vow the United States made to shut down money pipeline that finances Islamic insurgency. Washington has grown frustrated by the frequent resistance from close allies in the Middle-East. The US officials suspect financiers are using various methods including bank robbery as in Yemen, kidnapping for ransom, drug proceeds in Afghanistan and fund raising during Hajj and Ramadhan.
A classified memo by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent last December makes clear the resistance by Saudi Arabia and its neighbours, all trusted allies of the United States who are chief financial supporters of many terrorist activities, reported the New York Times (NYT) in a front-page story on Monday. It has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority, the same report said. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait are doing enough to stop funding. The Islamic Jihaddists are threatening stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan and targetting coalition soldiers. The US underscores the need to block money to Jihaddists. America’s coalition partners accused the US officials of high-handedness and presenting thin evidence of wrong doings by Arab charities or individuals.
Kuwaiti officials called draconian measures sought by the US against a prominent charity and dismissed the allegations as unconvincing. Richard Holbrook, US special envoy to AfPak, said al-Qaeda’s ability to raise funds has deteriorated and it is now in its weakest since 9/11.
Saudi Arabia is totally dependent on the CIA. Washington praises Saudi Arabia for stepping up action against terrorist funding. Interaction and coordination with Saudi Arabia has improved. Washington is far from happy with Riyadh and faults it for failing to set up a committee to prevent charities from financing terrorism.