U.N. refugee agency cuts ties with 2 terror-linked groups

THE WASHINGTON TIMES ^ | October 09, 2004 | By John Zarocostas

[Calpernia]

GENEVA — The U.N. agency for refugees has severed relations with two private relief organizations, one working in Sudan and another in Afghanistan, over suspected links with terrorist organizations.

A report by the inspector general's office at the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says the agency discontinued its relations with the two organizations and that follow-up action was taken with the regional bureaus concerned.

Relations were severed with Benevolence International, a group operating in Sudan, and with Islamic Relief Association (ISRA), operating in Afghanistan and maybe in Sudan, according to senior diplomats interviewed this week who asked not to be named.

(excerpted)

The UNHCR also is conducting similar inquiries into two other Islamic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Azerbaijan and in Eastern Sudan.

Both of the NGOs blacklisted by the UNHCR have been on so-called "red notice" by the international police group Interpol, accused of using forged passports, forged credit cards, smuggling people and raising funds for Islamic militants in Chechnya and Afghanistan, diplomats said.

(excerpted)

More than 500 NGOs help the agency implement its operations worldwide each year.

The matter is sensitive as the blacklisted NGOs are still active in areas where many U.N. agencies are also working.

(excerpted)

Ed Schenburg, chief of the International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), an umbrella group for 82 leading NGOs, said, "Any allegations or insinuations of terrorism links by certain NGOs are of concern to us."

He said that many Islamic NGOs in their organization have been exposed to security suspicions even though they have never been linked to terrorism by any country or agency

[Calpernia]

Thanks for the email forward NW_AZ!

[Calpernia]

NGO Crack down Ping

[Calpernia]

>>>so when does the UN condemn the killing of these Jews? (from other thread)

No worries. The heat is on with the UN ;)

[endthematrix]

Uh, the FBI (Chicago) arrested Enaam M. Arnaout back in 2002,head of Benevolence International Foundation. See why the US has to distance herself from the UN. They are two years behind. Also, funny that the UN is now backpedaling on terror groups within it's "humanitarian" mission after Israel video taped insurgents using a UN ambulance for transporting weapons...

Check this out! Benevolence International Britian froze the assets back in 2002!