Posted on 07/14/2005 4:39:55 PM PDT by Sabramerican
US official calls Saudis 'significant source' of terror funds
Wed Jul 13,11:32 PM ET
A top US official has suggested wealthy Saudi individuals remained "a significant source" of funds for Islamic terrorists around the world, despite widely-publicized efforts by the desert kingdom to shut down these channels.
The statement by Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey before the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs contrasted with earlier upbeat assessments by other members of the Bush administration that Saudi Arabia was making good progress in stemming the flow of private money to terrorist groups.
Levey said challenges posed by terrorist financing from within Saudi Arabia are "among the most daunting" his agency has faced as it tries to persuade Islamic nations to strengthen controls over their banks and charitable organizations that are said to be funneling money to terrorist groups.
"Wealthy Saudi financiers and charities have funded terrorist organizations and causes that support terrorism and the ideology that fuels the terrorists' agenda", the undersecretary told lawmakers. "Even today, we believe that Saudi donors may still be a significant source of terrorist financing, including for the insurgency in Iraq."
US officials pointed out they remained concerned about activities by three Saudi-run charities that operate around the world: the International Islamic Relief Organization, the World Association of Muslim Youth and the Muslim World League.
The Saudi government has moved to establish an oversight commission for its charitable sector and ordered an end to the uncontrolled collection of charitable donations at mosques and retail shops.
But administration officials argued they still needed to see convincing proof that these proclaimed initiatives have become reality.
Assistant Secretary of State Anthony Wayne told senators American diplomats continue to stress in their discussions with the Saudis "the need for full implementation, including a fully functioning charities commission."
Wow, top intelligence here.
..........................................
Sounds like Stuart Levey will have to look for post-State retirement employment outside the usual Saudi funded think tanks.
Treasury Undersecretary = top US official ?
Not exactly a tectonic shift in US policy...
Either a Jew or enough of a Jewish sounding name that Saudi employment is highly suspect. Tom Friedman by himself pretty much filles their quota of Jewish whores.
NewsFlash at 11:00
Water is Wet
The Sky is Up
and......
Saudi's fund Terrorism.
(what's sad is that newscompanies PAY reporters for news like this)
ping
Don't know about that, but many top US officals believe a Hunda is as good as Peace.
Yes, but notice they didn’t have the balls to say the Saudi government contributes to terrorism as well. A bit of a cop out to target Saudi “individuals”.
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