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About Contact Us CT Blog Experts in the Media CT Library Counterterrorism Foundation Websites & Centers RSS & PDA Feeds Monthly Archives POSTS ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR POSTS ON 2008 MUMBAI ATTACK Counterterrorism Blog Panels: Reforming U.S. Counter-Terrorism Assistance Programs, Feb. 12 The 2008 Mumbai Attacks, Dec. 4 Future of Turkey-U.S. Strategic Partnership, May 19 Iran & U.S.: Outlook for Next Decade? April 15 Compañeros de Armas ("Friends in Arms"): Chavez, FARC & South America, March 19 Meta-Terror: Terrorism & the Virtual World, Feb. 29 Evolution of US Counterterrorism Policy, Feb. 12 Terrorism Litigation After Boim Decision, Jan. 28 Holy Land Foundation & Muslim Brotherhood, Dec. 11, 2007 ------------ July 2008 Posts and August 2008 Posts Contributing Experts
Douglas Farah, Editor
Steven Emerson & The Investigative Project on Terrorism Dennis Lormel Bill West Evan Kohlmann Michael Cutler Victor Comras Michael Kraft Dr. Zachary Abuza Dr. Walid Phares Daveed Gartenstein-Ross Olivier Guitta Kenneth Conboy Aaron Mannes David Schenker Animesh Roul Matthew Levitt Jonathan Winer Michael Jacobson Frank Hyland Roderick Jones Paul Cruickshank Farhana Ali Lorenzo Vidino Madeleine Gruen James McGinnis Michael Braun James Gordon Meek, Guest Expert Phillip Smyth, Brett Wallace & Mark Offenbach, Newslinks Editors Andrew Cochran, Founder & Editor Emeritus EXPERTS' ARCHIVES & BIOS Recent Posts
Transnational Terror: Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Chicago Plot
NEFA Foundation: Response from Gaza to Solidarity Calls from Shabaab al-Mujahideen Interview with Taliban Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid re: the UN Guesthouse Attack in Kabul Fort Hood: The largest "Terror act" since 9/11 Climate Change and Terrorism Memo to Obama: Listen to Jim Gant or Risk Losing Afghan War CTR Vantage: Al Shabaab's Recruiting Efforts in the West NEFA Foundation: Al-Qaida Roundup on Failed Nayif Assassination Bid Failed States vs. Criminal States NEFA Foundation: Shabaab al-Mujahideen Declares Formation of the "Al-Quds Brigade" Experts' Books
Walid Phares: The Confrontation and "The War of Ideas: Jihadism against Democracy" and “Future Jihad: Terrorist Strategies Against America”
Michael Kraft & Yonah Alexander (Editors): "Evolution of U.S. Counterterrorism Policy" Douglas Farah & Zachary Abuza in Countering the Financing of Terrorism Douglas Farah: "Merchant of Death" and "Blood From Stones: The Secret Financial Network of Terror" Michael Jacobson: "The West at War: U.S. and European Counterterrorism Efforts, Post–September 11" Daveed Gartenstein-Ross: "My Year Inside Radical Islam: A Memoir" Steven Emerson: "Jihad Incorporated: A Guide to Militant Islam in the US" and "American Jihad: The Terrorists Living Among Us" Victor Comras & Matthew Levitt (contributors): "Terrorism Financing and State Responses," Stanford University Press Matthew Levitt: "Negotiating Under Fire: Preserving Peace Talks in the Face of Terror Attacks" and "Hamas: Politics, Charity, and Terrorism in the Service of Jihad" and "Targeting Terror: U.S. Policy toward Middle Eastern State Sponsors and Terrorist Organizations, Post-September 11" Zachary Abuza: "Political Islam and Violence in Indonesia" and "Militant Islam in Southeast Asia: Crucible of Terror" Lorenzo Vidino "Al Qaeda in Europe: The New Battleground of Global Jihad" Kenneth Conboy: "The Second Front: Inside Asia’s Most Dangerous Terrorist Network" Evan Kohlmann: "Al-Qaida's Jihad in Europe: The Afghan-Bosnian Network" Credits
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Victor Comras Archives
Iran Sanctions: Still A Viable Option?By Victor ComrasEarlier this month I had the opportunity to address a Canadian House of Commons Foreign Relations Subcommittee concerning the potential use and impact of sanctions on Iran and its quest for nuclear weapons. This oral testimony can be found here.... Reconciling The State Secrets Doctrine with Due Process in Terrorism Related CasesBy Victor ComrasA few weeks ago I wrote a short piece for Jurist commenting on US District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker's recent ruling in the Al-Haramain Oregon NSA wiretapping case. That ruling held that the court be allowed to review classified... International Commission of Jurists Report Faults UN, EU and US Terrorism Designation ProceduresBy Victor ComrasThe International Commission of Jurists has just published the report of a special blue ribbon panel on the conduct of the war on terrorism and its effect on international law and human rights. The report concludes that Western democracies, along... Gaza Conflict Provokes Anti-Jewish Violence in EuropeBy Victor ComrasSince the beginning of the war in Gaza there has been a dramatic upsurge in anti-semitic activities in Europe, perhaps the most violent since post World War II reconstruction days. Jews, synagogues, and Jewish schools and institutions across the continent,... Muslim Brotherhood Reacts Defensively As Israel Takes On HamasBy Victor ComrasMuslim Brotherhood leaders are already engaging in something akin to “damage control” as they rationalize Hamas' breach of the ceasefire with Israel, and condemn Israel, Egypt and the West for Israel’s incursion into Gaza. The Brotherhood is also trying to... UN Acts to Designate Lashkar e Tayyiba’ Offshoots and Its Leaders As Terrorists Associated With Al QaedaBy Victor ComrasLast month’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai focused anew a spotlight on the activities of Lashkar e Tayyiba, its offshoots, and its possible links with Al Qaeda. The investigation conducted by India, Pakistan and other cooperating countries has produced new evidence... New Seventh Circuit Boim Decision Puts All On Notice - Liability Will Attach to Those that Contribute Funds to Foreign Terrorist OrganizationsBy Victor ComrasLast December I used this space to express concern that the 2-1 decision handed down by a Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals three-judge panel in the Boim case represented a serious setback to victims of terrorism seeking to hold accountable... Dawood Ibrahim's Name Again Surfaces With Latest Mumbai Terrorist AttackBy Victor ComrasIt’s much too early to identify the group or groups involved in the Mumbai terrorist attack or to place blame for what has occurred. Identification will come with the expert police investigation and intelligence gathering now underway. But, at this... Dialogue Bolstered by Sanctions - A Possible Option for Dealing With IranBy Victor ComrasWith world attention focused on the faltering international financial system, only back page notice is being given to the frightening progress Iran continues to make toward achieving nuclear weapons capability. An expert report now circulating within the halls of the... New Treasury U-Turn Measures May Have Significant Impact on IranBy Victor ComrasUS Iran sanctions policy is again front and center with the Treasury Department’s announcement, November 6th, cutting off “U-Turn” privileges under general license for all transactions involving Iran’s financial institutions. This measure could have a significant impact on Iran, and... Defining Terrorism- The UNGA Sixth Committee Struggles OnBy Victor ComrasOnce again the UNGA’s Sixth (Legal) Committee is struggling with defining terrorism as it seeks to finalize the longstanding proposed draft of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). The Sixth Committee reconvened October 8th to focus on the draft... General Assembly’s Opening Debate Dampens Hope For UN Progress in Dealing With Terrorism and Nuclear ProliferationBy Victor ComrasAs the UN General Assembly ends its final day of principal level debate, the prognosis for its future work remains both murky and morose. As in the past the world’s ills have been laid plain for world leaders (if they... Remembering 9/11 - “The Evil That Men Do Lives After Them”By Victor ComrasIt has become customary for commentators on terrorism to mark the anniversary of Al Qaeda’s 9/11 attack against the United States as an occasion to review and assess the progress we have made in combating terrorism. Our government and other... Terrorism Financing Is Still Big Business Even If Terrorist Attacks Sometimes Are Carried Out on the CheapBy Victor ComrasThere is a common misperception that terrorism can be carried out on the cheap and that small terrorist cells simply raise their funds locally making it extremely difficult to detect. This seems to be the thesis of a number of... UN SYSTEM FOR DESIGNATING TERRORISTS IS FALTERINGBy Victor ComrasThe UN system for designating terrorists is weak, under attack, and needs to be reformed. That is the thesis I present in an article just published online in Perspectives on Terrorism. And the challenges are coming from all sides.... Testimony in Canada About Proposal to Enable Civil Suits Against TerroristsBy Victor ComrasOn June 18, I testified before the Canadian Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in Ottawa about a proposed bill to deter terrorism by providing a civil right of action against perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism. Segments of that... Treasury Designates Major Saudi Charity -- Al Haramain - - For Financing TerroristsBy Victor ComrasFollowing several years of wrangling with Saudi Arabia over Al Haramain Islamic Foundation’s continuing international role in facilitating terrorism financing, the US Treasury Department has finally acted unilaterally to designate its whole world-wide operation, including Al Haramain's headquarter offices, structure... UN Monitoring Team Report Highlights Problems Plaguing Implementation of Measures Against Al Qaeda and the TalibanBy Victor ComrasThe United Nations Al Qaeda/Taliban Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team issued its 8th report earlier this month reviewing the implementation by states of the UN measures against Al Qaeda and the Taliban. The report also highlights several problems that... It's Time Now for a Serious Public Debate on Our Iran PolicyBy Victor ComrasI wrote here last month that the time has come for further clarification from the presidential candidates concerning their plans for dealing with Iran’s nuclear ambitions. We have heard numerous sound-bites and even read a few short paragraphs issued by... France's Confused CFCM Elections -- An Opportunity for the Muslim Brotherhood?By Victor ComrasDeciphering the current political trends and developments within France’s Muslim community is likely to challenge the most knowledgeable pundits for some time. But, what is clear is that the Muslim Brotherhood has made incredible strides in becoming France's most important... The Soaring Price of Oil and TerrorismBy Victor ComrasA few days ago, when oil was just $115.00 per barrel, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared that the price of oil was still “unrealistically low,” and that “Oil … needs to discover its real value." And, within a few days... The Candidates Positions Re Iran's Nuclear Ambitions: Time for Some ClarificationBy Victor ComrasIran’s leaders are once again displaying their usual intransigence concerning Iran’s nuclear and uranium enrichment programs. They have refused Security Council and European attempts to engage them in a new round of negotiations despite the new round of sanctions and... Security Council Approves New CTED Counter-Terrorism ProgramBy Victor ComrasThe Security Council voted last week to give the UN’s Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) a new lease on life until December 31, 2010. CTED was established in March 2004 (UNSC Resolution 1535) as part of a Security Council effort... New FATF Study Highlights Need For Closer Government - Financial Sector Cooperation to Combat Terrorism FinancingBy Victor ComrasFrom time to time FATF, the Paris based Financial Action Task Force, publishes new guidance and “best practices” to re-enforce the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing practices of its member countries and the international financial community in general. The latest... Finally, A Security Council Resolution on Iran With Some Teeth!By Victor ComrasIran’s leaders should surely take note of today’s Security Council action imposing a new round of sanctions on them for their continuing defiance of international non-proliferation norms. The measures included in UN Security Council Resolution 1803 appear to go well... Let The Protect America Act Extension Debate Run Its CourseBy Victor ComrasWhile I agree with my colleagues, Dennis Lormel and Jeffrey Breinholt, that renewal of the Protect America Act should be considered by Congress as urgent and serious business, it’s misplaced to ascribe current delays to merely “playing politics.” Few pieces... Let's Make Fighting Terrorism Financing An International BattleBy Victor ComrasI want to build on the very useful piece posted here by my colleague Jeff Breinholt, which describes the Bank Secrecy Act and the due diligence and suspicious transaction report responsibilities it imposes on US financial institutions. These responsibilities go... Are We Winning The Financial War On Terror? - Another PerspectiveBy Victor ComrasA few days ago my colleague Matthew Levitt published here an insightful essay asking, rhetorically, whether we are winning the war against terrorism financing. His piece was structured largely as a response to critic’s that have questioned the efficacy of... New GAO Report Questions Efficacy of Sanctions Measures on IranBy Victor ComrasA new GAO report, released January 16, 2008, seriously challenges the efficacy of current US sanctions on Iran and calls for a re-evaluation of our overall sanctions measures vis a vis Iran. The report is particularly critical of the Administration’s... Iran To Seek 2009 Security Council Seat While Ignoring UN SanctionsBy Victor ComrasWord is circulating though the halls of UN headquarters in New York that Iran will actively campaign for a non permanent seat on the Security Council for 2009 or 2010. Perhaps such an Iran candidacy should come as no surprise... Boim Case Reversal Could Be Major Blow To Victim-of-Terrorism LitigantsBy Victor ComrasI want to join my colleague Andrew Cochran in expressing disappointment with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision to reverse and remand the Boim Case for a new trial. This landmark case is key to determining whether those responsible... No New UN Sanctions on Iran Now Despite US ConcessionsBy Victor ComrasWord is out that today’s last ditch efforts to come up with new Security Council sanctions measures on Iran have failed. The Political Directors of the Security Council’s Permanent Five Members ( US, UK, France, Russia, China) and Germany reportedly... Keeping Kosovo From Becoming a New Breeding Ground for TerrorismBy Victor ComrasKosovo’s Albanian community leaders will likely unilaterally declare Kosovo’s secession and independence from Serbia in the next few weeks. This follows the failure of UN sponsored negotiations on Kosovo’s final status. This will not be a smooth separation and is... Iran: Has the Rising Price of Oil Trumped Sanctions?By Victor ComrasA major debate is ranging in European capitals on how best to deal with the growing prospect of confrontation with Iran over its ongoing nuclear weapons development program. Last month French President Sarkozy and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called... The New US Sanctions on Iran - Can They Be Effective?By Victor ComrasToday’s announcement of new US sanctions on Iran follows months of reporting that the US is seeking to convince foreign governments, banks and business to pull away from the Iranian marketplace. The Washington Post reported last August that the U.S.... A New Mandate For FATF? Combating Nuclear Proliferation FinancingBy Victor ComrasFATF (The Financial Action Task Force) appears to be poised to take on a greater role in combating illicit international financial activities, adding nuclear proliferation financing to its focus of attention. Meeting in Paris earlier this month, under British chairmanship,... France Calls For Tough European Sanctions On IranBy Victor ComrasThe New French Government is now adding its own weight in support of U.S. efforts to get Iran to back off from its accelerated uranium enrichment program. French President Sarkozy indicated shortly after his election that he would place a... A New International Counter-terrorism Organization Makes Good SenseBy Victor ComrasJohn Edwards’ proposal for a new international Counterterrorism and Intelligence Treaty Organization (CITO) deserve serious consideration. Edwards has put his finger on the single most important shortcoming in the war on terrorism – the serious lack of international cooperation and... Will Designating the IRGC as Terrorists Really Have an Effect?By Victor ComrasToday’s announcement that President Bush intends to designate the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorism supporting organization is certainly welcome, even if it is somewhat redundant. The IRGC has major commercial and investment interests throughout Iran and internationally.... The New Guantanamo Military Commission DebateBy Victor ComrasThere doesn’t seem to be much going anymore for the Guantanamo Military Commission. Its utility, function and procedures are being challenged from all sides, including from the inside. General public condemnation of the process is growing here and abroad, the... Isolating Hamas In Gaza May Be Best Road AheadBy Victor ComrasMiddle East experts have to be scratching their heads as they seek to analyze the enigma's posed by Hamas’ takeover of Gaza. Could this be the seminal event that causes a realignment in the interests and actions of key Arab... US Supreme Court To Review Guantanamo Terrorism Detention CasesBy Victor ComrasCatching the Bush Administration by surprise, the Supreme Court decided late last week to take a close look at the legitimacy and constitutionality of the operation and procedures of Guantanamo’s Combatant Status Review Tribunal and of the trials conducted by... EU To Implement New Cross Border Cooperative Measures to Combat TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThe EU Justice and Home Affairs Council decided, June 11th to finally implement their agreement last January to expand cross border police and judicial cooperation on an operational and information-sharing basis to combat terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal migration. (See... No New Counter-Terrorism Initiatives at This Year’s G8 SummitBy Victor ComrasThe war on terrorism was not one of the “hot topics” at this year’s G8 summit at Heiligendamm, Germany. Terrorism didn’t constitute a separate agenda item, although it reportedly came up during the discussion of several agenda items, and in... Europe's New Anti Terrorism Convention Strong on Substance, Short on AdherentsBy Victor ComrasThe new European Anti-Terrorism Convention which entered into force on June 1st, provides for a much broader and improved framework of investigative and judicial cooperation among European countries in combating terrorism than was previously the case. It builds on an... Iran Sanctions: French Development Bank Drops Its South Pars Oil Field InvestmentBy Victor ComrasAs a critic of the effete sanctions measures adopted by the international community against Iran, I want to be among the first to recognize a success in the application of US Treasury tactics re foreign banks doing business with Iran.... US-EU Differences Flare Over US Travel Data RequirementsBy Victor ComrasTensions are mounting again between the EU and US over planned new travel information requirements set by the Department of Homeland. The dispute is coming to a head just as transatlantic air traffic reaches its peak season. An interim agreement... Foreign Banks Still Consider Iran Lucrative Market Despite US Treasury CurbsBy Victor ComrasThe US Treasury Department’s financial curbs on Iranian banks and its new outreach program concerning the risks of doing business with Iran are undoubtedly having an impact on international financial dealings with Iran. According to Treasury officials more than 40... Treasury Deputy Secretary Kimmitt's Washington Institute Speech: Is the Administration Too Soft on Iran Sanctions?By Victor ComrasIn yesterday's speech at the Washington Institute, Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt presented an overview of Treasury’s new role in combating national security threats. The Treasury Department has taken the lead (apparently away from the State Department) when it comes... Is the Administration Shifting Priorities from Terrorism Financing to Money Laundering?By Victor ComrasLast week the Bush Administration issued its new strategy for combating money laundering. Crafted by the Department of the Treasury, along with Justice, State, Homeland Security, the Federal Reserve, Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, it... America At A Crossroads - Caution Needed When Dealing With the Muslim BrotherhoodBy Victor ComrasPBS’s week-long “America at a Crossroads” series presented many of the issues and dilemmas now facing America in the War on Terrorism. The series got mixed reviews on content and temper. There were criticisms about its objectivity from both the... FATF Identifies Weaknesses in Turkey's AML/CTF ProgramBy Victor ComrasLast September a special FATF-sponsored team of financial experts undertook an evaluation of Turkey’s Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing programs. The evaluation was undertaken with the cooperation of the Turkish Government, and involved extensive discussions with both government officials and... Weak Sanctions On Iran Simply Won't WorkBy Victor ComrasA number of my colleagues have suggested that I discuss further my concerns with the latest UN Security Council Sanctions Resolution on Iran. Many in the news media are characterizing the new round of UN Security Council Sanctions on Iran... The New Iran Sanctions: “Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Nothing”!By Victor ComrasThe UN Security Council, unable to come up with a consensus on meaningful sanctions measures against Iran, has settled on an effete set of measures unlikely to cause Iran to change course. In fact, UN Security Council Resolution 1747 (2007)... ICJ Eminent Panel of Jurists on Terrorism, Law & Human Rights Continues to Question US PracticesBy Victor ComrasThe US Congress has so far paid little attention to the work of the Eminent Panel of International Jurists appointed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to develop and recommend new international legal standards in the war on terrorism.... The Muslim Brotherhood and the Growing Sunni-Shiite ConflictBy Victor ComrasMy colleague Olivier Guitta has just posted an excellent piece on the growing Sunni Shiite conflict. The heightened tensions between these two principal confessions of Islam is already putting great pressure on the Muslim Brotherhood. There has long been a... UN Counter-Terrorism Handbook -- Form Over SubstanceBy Victor ComrasFollowing up on a recommendation contained in last year’s UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the UN has put together a new on-line “counter-terrorism” handbook which is meant to help guide countries wishing to assess UN counter-terrorism support services. As the UN... Another UN Designation Goes AwryBy Victor ComrasFor the last several years, US terrorism financing trackers have noted suspicious financial transactions coming out of South Africa that appeared to be for the benefit of al Qaeda. Some of these transactions predate 9/11. Following the money led them... EU To Take Important New Step to Expand Counter Terrorism Police WorkBy Victor ComrasEU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers agreed today to move ahead with plans to expand cross border police and judicial cooperation on an operational and information-sharing basis to combat terrorism, cross-border crime and illegal migration. Meeting in Dresden, Germany, the... Securing the Homeland; GAO Recommends Areas for Increased Congressional Oversight in 2007By Victor ComrasWe got through 2006 without any new terrorist attack at home. But, most terrorism experts are convinced that 2007 remains fraught with danger. Internationally, terrorism continues to rage with no letup against US and allied assets and interests. And we... Iran Sanctions: The UN Finally Acts –But Much too SoftlyBy Victor ComrasThe UN Security Council finally acted and imposed a limited set of sanctions on Iran for its continued defiance of IAEA norms re uranium enrichment. I have long argued that sanctions will be needed to turn Iran around. But, the... Another Terrorism Case Is Dismissed Against Saleh Kamel and His Dallah Al Baraka Investment GroupBy Victor ComrasThe Arab News is touting a decision by US District Court (SDNY) Judge Richard Conway Casey dismissing a series of consolidated insurance company lawsuits against Saleh Kamel and his Dallah Al Barakat Group (not to be confused with the Al... Hague Action Plan To Combat Terrorism & Crime Needs UpdateBy Victor ComrasEU Council members meeting in Brussels December 4th called on the EU Commission, and the incoming EU Presidency (Germany) to update the Hague Action Plan which lays out critical measures for combating crime and terrorism in Europe. The Hague program,... Federal Court Judge Questions Legality of Executive Order Designation of TerroristsBy Victor ComrasIn what could become a very problematic ruling, US District Court Judge Audrey Collins has challenged the President’s “unfettered” authority to designate individuals or groups as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs)” by Executive order. The court found that “the President’s... UN Deadlock On Defining Terrorism PersistsBy Victor ComrasThe UN General Assembly’s Sixth (Legal) Committee again failed this session to break the deadlock preventing progress on a Comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Convention and a Definition of Terrorism that would be binding on all countries. The Committee adjourned November 21st after... Both US and EU Want to Improve Anti-Terrorism Information and Investigation CooperationBy Victor ComrasI have often written criticizing shortcomings that have hampered close US- EU information sharing and cooperation related to the investigation of terrorism and terrorism financing. So it’s a real pleasure to write now on steps recently taken by both sides... UN Finally Gets Around to Listing IIRO IndonesiaBy Victor ComrasOn August 3rd, 2006 the US Treasury Department moved to designate the Philippine and Indonesia Branches of the International Islamic Relief Organizations as global terrorist entities (SDGTs). The Treasury Department also designated the Saudi based Executive Director of the Eastern... Civil Liability is Crucial in the War on Terrorism: A Response to the Wall Street Journal.By Victor ComrasTed Frank’s provocative Op-ed in Friday’s Wall Street Journal questions the rationale for allowing victims of terrorism to hold third-party institutions potentially liable for their own contributory actions. He wants Congress to enact new restrictions on attorneys and on the... North Korea Sanctions: The Difficulties Are In the Details!By Victor ComrasEditor's Note: In light of North Korea's status as an official "State Sponsor of Terrorism" since January 20, 1988 and President Bush's warning yesterday that any attempted North Korean transfer of nuclear technology to any party would be interdicted, this... Putting Together a Coherent International Strategy to Combat Terrorism FinancingBy Victor ComrasA report issued October 4th by Canada’s Financial Intelligence Unit, Fintrac, estimated that “the total value of case disclosures of suspected terrorist activity financing and other threats to the security of Canada {during the 2006 reporting period} was approximately $256... UN Terrorist List Essential to Combating Terrorism and Terrorism Financing -- An Answer to A Recent Wall Street Journal ArticleBy Victor ComrasDavid Crawford’s article in the Oct. 2nd Wall Street Journal, entitled The Black Hole of a U.N. Blacklist -- Terrorism Suspects Are Stripped of Assets Without Hearings or the Right to Appeal, raises interesting and difficult issues concerning the war... This Round of Negotiations on Iran's Nuclear Program May Lead to Suspension or to SanctionsBy Victor ComrasThe United States, the European Union and Iran are now engaged in a serious game of three-way hardball over Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, used his visit to the UNGA in New York to suggest that Iran... The UN's New Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Has Some Serious DeficienciesBy Victor ComrasThe UN General Assembly’s 60th Session was supposed to lay the foundation for a new Counter-Terrorism Strategy to re-enforce, and better coordinate international efforts against terrorism and terrorism financing. Secretary General Kofi Annan put forth a plan of action earlier... Iran Sanctions: A Necessary Step in a Difficult SituationBy Victor ComrasTime has run out on a negotiated settlement with Iran on its nuclear enrichment program. The latest responses from Iran are no more than ploys to extend the August 31 deadline set by the UN Security Council for possible imposition... FATF GIVES US HIGH MARKS ON ITS ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING AND COUNTER TERRORISM FINANCING PROGRAM: But Some Problems RemainBy Victor ComrasLast Spring FATF sent a team to the United States to evaluate American compliance with the FATF40+9 recommendations to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. This was part of a general program adopted by FATF and cooperating countries to undergo... UN Al Qaida Monitoring Group Recommended UN Listing of IIRO in December 2003By Victor ComrasWhile the US Treasury Department has taken action to designate two branches of the Saudi-based International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) and Abd Al Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mujil, the executive director of the charity's Eastern Province branch in Saudi Arabia, it is... UN MAKES SUBSTANTIAL FORMAT CHANGES TO ITS AL QAIDA AND TALIBAN CONSOLIDATED LISTBy Victor ComrasThe UN Al Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee issued a Bulletin July 25th advising the international community of important changes to the way it maintains the consolidated list of individuals and entities designated as members or associates of al Qaida... Europe Still Weighs Whether To Designate Hizbollah As A Terrorist OrganizationBy Victor ComrasThe United States, the United Kingdom and Israel, are among the very few countries that have designated Hizbollah as a terrorist organization (and even the UK has limited its designation to Hizbollah's military wing or “External Security Organization, ” Unlike,... G8 Wants The UN to Strengthen its Role In Combating TerrorismBy Victor ComrasPre-occupied with the Middle East, Iran and North Korea, the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg apparently had less time to come up with a major new counter-terrorism initiative, as it has at the last 4 summits. Instead, the G8 focused... The Real Secrets of Our Terrorism Financing Tracking Program Remain SecretBy Victor ComrasTreasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey’s testimony today before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations made a strong case that the terrorism financing tracking program developed by Treasury and other US agencies is, indeed, a vital tool in finding... Europeans More Puzzled Than Concerned by SWIFT Monitoring RevelationsBy Victor ComrasEuropean reaction to the New York Times revelations concerning US monitoring of SWIFT has been quite muted. There has been no public outcry, as was the case with reports on CIA renditions and allegations of secret prisons and interrogation centers... Reports of US Monitoring of SWIFT Transactions Are Not New: The Practice Has Been Known By Terrorism Financing Experts For Some TimeBy Victor ComrasYesterday’s New York Times Story on US monitoring of SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) transactions certainly hit the street with a splash. It awoke the general public to the practice. In that sense, it was truly new news.... US-EU Summit Leaders Take Positive Steps To Strengthen Cooperation For Combating TerrorismBy Victor ComrasTerrorism was one of the critical and overarching topics during President Bush’s June 21st meeting with EU leaders in Vienna. The EU-US Summit, and the numerous preparatory meetings that preceded it, have provided an important opportunity to assure that the... EU Will Move Ahead With Direct Aid to Palestinians Without Funding HamasBy Victor ComrasThe so-called Quad -- The UN, US, EU and Russia, agreed last month to find ways to provide direct aid to the Palestinian people while maintaining a tight freeze on funds for Hamas. (see my earlier Blog). Details of the... “Flow of Terror Funds Being Choked, U.S. Says:” -- A Skeptic RespondsBy Victor Comras“Flow of terror funds being choked, US Says” reads the headlines of a June 18th USA today article based on statements of US treasury officials. I wish that it were so, but I am quite dubious. The article cites a... Improved European Cooperation Is Helping To Connect The Dots On Terrorism FinancingBy Victor ComrasThe fruits of improved intra-European cooperation on terrorism-related investigations are starting to become more apparent, particularly in the area of combating terrorism financing. Coordinated investigations and improved information sharing are resulting in a significant increase in the number of terrorism... Youssef Nada {of Al Taqwa Fame} On the Offensive Again: Seeking Damages From Swiss GovernmentBy Victor ComrasAttorneys for Muslim Brotherhood Banker Youssef Nada, founder and president of the Al Taqwa Bank, have announced their intention to file a new claim against the Swiss government, on Nada’s behalf, for economic losses, defamation and mental distress allegedly caused... NSA Eavesdropping Cases Now Being Fought Out in the CourtsBy Victor ComrasPress revelations last December that the NSA was engaged in limited domestic eavesdropping set off a landslide of protests and congressional concerns over the legality of such activities. These issues are now also well entangled in our courts. Numerous legal... EU Court Annuls US-EU Agreement On Airline Passenger DataBy Victor ComrasThe European Court of Justice acted May 30th to annul a US – EU agreement under which passenger information was provided to US Homeland Security authorities in advance of boarding on all transatlantic flights from EU countries to the United... EU Commission Wants New Law-and-Order Authority to Combat Terrorism and Cross Border CrimeBy Victor ComrasSince the April 2004 Madrid bombing, EU countries have sought to improve EU-wide coordination and cooperation in combating terrorism. They focused on strengthening judicial cooperation and ties between their various national intelligence, investigative, justice, and police agencies. A special coordinator,... Aiding Palestinians Without Helping Hamas: A Difficult TaskBy Victor ComrasCan Pressure be maintained on Hamas without unduly harming the Palestinian People? This is the question being addressed by the Quartet (UN, US, EU, and Russia) as it seeks some mechanism to channel aid to the Palestinians without strengthening the... Kofi Annan Proposes Comprehensive UN Strategy To Combat TerrorismBy Victor ComrasUN Secretary General Kofi Annan has finally produced the recommendations he promised at last year’s Madrid Conference for a Comprehensive United Nation’s Counter Terrorism Strategy with emphasis on strengthening the UN’s capacity to combat terrorism. His Address to the General... Pakistan Charity Jamaat-Ud-Dawa Added to Global Terrorist List, But Not Its LeadersBy Victor ComrasLast November American soldiers were working along side members of the Pakistan Charity Jamaat-Ud-Dawa to provide needed relief to the victims of the Pakistan/India earthquake. I wrote a blog at that time describing the role Jamaat was playing in this... The Iran Crisis and Counter Terrorism Will Make or Break the St. Petersburg G8 SummitBy Victor ComrasIt looks like the Iran nuclear enrichment crisis, and counter-terrorism, will now definitely make their way onto the formal agenda for the July 15 – 17 St. Petersburg G8 Summit. Both topics were absent from the formal agenda originally proposed... Multilateral Diplomacy Re Iran Must Include SanctionsBy Victor ComrasLast weeks Security Council condemnation of Irans uranium enrichment program seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Irans President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and Former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani both were quick, this week to announce that Iran had already achieved limited... Proposed Reform of UN Counter-terrorism Activities Falls ShortBy Victor ComrasUN Secretary General Kofi Annan has just issued his recommendations on steps to streamline UN activities. The report, entitled Mandating and Delivering: An analysis and recommendations to facilitate the review of mandates, takes a hard look at the numerous... Is the EU Softening Its Position Re Hamas?By Victor ComrasHamas victory in the Palestinian elections has posed a serious dilemma for our EU partners. In their first pronouncements after the January 25th Palestinian elections EU leaders took common position with the United States. They warned that continued assistance and... UN Continues to Struggle Unsuccessfully With Definition of TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThe UN appears no closer to working out a consensus on a definition of terrorism a key element holding up the adoption of new UN Comprehensive Anti Terrorism Convention than it was at the start of this sixtieth... Iran Sanctions: Difficult But Necessary NowBy Victor ComrasThe UN Security Council is scheduled this week to take up Irans continuing defiance of its NPT and IAEA obligations. When Iran acted earlier this year to break the monitoring seals at three of its nuclear facilities and to move... DP World Expands Worldwide, including to United States Ports. What effect on Port Security?By Victor ComrasThe sudden announcement that Dubai Ports of the United Arab Emirates (DP World) will soon take over the operation of six US seaports has set off alarm bells in Congress and among homeland security specialists. A bipartisan Congressional group has... Abu Hamza al-Masri Conviction: An Important Step Forward in the UK's War on TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThe conviction in British criminal court of radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri (aka Mustafa Kamel Mustafa), and his sentencing to 7 years in prison, stands out as an important landmark in the war on terrorism. Great Britain has long... Davos and Terrorism: Nothing Really New This YearBy Victor ComrasWhile global terrorism got some attention at this years Davos World Economic Summit, it was not one of the conference's central themes. Some attention was given to the economic costs associated with terrorism, and to continuing economic vulnerabilities to terrorist... Europeans Question How Far to Go in Combating Terrorism, American Debate May FollowBy Victor ComrasMy colleague, Olivier Guitta , in an excellent blog posted January 23rd, posited an improved level of cooperation between the United States and Europe in combating terrorism. Considerable strides have been made since the March 2004 Madrid bombing to enhance... Two Al Taqwa Directors Removed From UN Al Qaeda Designation ListBy Victor ComrasA little noticed UN press release January 19th announced a decision by the Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee to remove Mohamed Mansour and his wife Zeinab Mansour-Fattouh from its consolidated list of designated al Qaeda members and associates. Mohamed... Norway Drops Implementation of EU Terrorist ListBy Victor ComrasNorway issued a startling declaration earlier this month. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced January 4th that his country would no longer follow the EU lead concerning the designation of terrorist organizations not included in the UN designated terrorist... Jewelry Dealers Now Covered by AML/CTF RequirementsBy Victor ComrasI 'm not sure how many jewelry dealers read the Counter-Terrorism Blog, but I did want to join others in reminding you that as of January 1, 2006, you are required to have in place, and available for inspection, due... The President?s NSA Wiretaps: Unnecessary Problems in the War on TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThe New York Times revelation that the NSA has been eavesdropping on US-overseas telephone conversations, without FISAs special oversight procedures, is certain to stir up a legal mess that may take years to straighten out in the courts. FISA created... More on Balancing Security and Civil Liberty Protections: A Response to a ColleagueBy Victor ComrasThe debate over the appropriate balance between security and civil liberty protection to which I referred in my previous posting goes well beyond the Patriot Act issues still under review in Congress. It touches on broader issues that effect our... It Really Is Necessary to Balance Security and Civil Liberty Protections in The War On TerrorismBy Victor ComrasAs 2005 draws to a close, a great public debate has opened here and in Europe over the powers we have placed in our governments' hands to combat terrorism. There is a growing public perception that some of these measures... Proposed New EU Anti-Terrorism Strategy Likely to be ControversialBy Victor ComrasEU Ministers of Justice met in Brussels November 30 December 1 to finalize a new, beefed-up, counter terrorism strategy. The document is as much a show piece as it is a reflection of the EUs enhanced concern with terrorism.... UN Fails Again on Comprehensive Anti-Terrorism ConventionBy Victor ComrasOnce Again the UN General Assembly has proved unable to come up with an agreement on language for a comprehensive convention to fight terrorism. Key differences remain. These include draft language for a comprehensive definition of terrorism, as well as... Designated Terrorist financier Youssef Nada Wins Another Court RoundBy Victor ComrasThose who have followed the activities of Youssef Nada and his al Taqwa organization may be interested to learn that Nada, and his attorneys have just won another round in the Swiss Court. The Swiss Federal Court in Bellazone has... Gauging Progress in Combating TerrorismBy Victor ComrasHow do we measure the progress being made in the War on Terrorism? That is the theme of a recent Congressional Research Service report prepared by CRS terrorism expert Raphael Perl. The report reflects concerns that we really have not... EU May Stop Providing US-Bound Air Passenger InformationBy Victor ComrasThe European Court of Justice's Advocate General Philippe Leger, has just issued an Advisory Opinion favoring a EU Parliament challenge to a May 2004 agreement under which EU countries provide the US Bureau of Customs advance data on all air... Terrorism Tainted Lashkar-e-Taiba Continues As A Major Player in Kashmir Earthquake Relief EffortBy Victor ComrasNumerous press and other reports from Kashmir indicate that Lashkar-e-Taiba, and its successor organization, the Jamaat-ul-Dawa charity have become major players in relief and reconstruction efforts for earthquake torn Kashmir. Both entities were founded, and are run by, Hafiz Sayeed.... Stephanides Vindicated by UN Panel Re Oil For Food ProbeBy Victor ComrasA UN Joint Disciplinary Committee, comprised of three UN Secretariat members, including one selected by Secretary General Kofi Annan, has unanimously vindicated Stephanides with regard to charges that he tainted the competitive bidding process that led to the selection of... Saudi Charities Report Donations Off Sharply This Ramadan SeasonBy Victor ComrasSaudi Charities have reported a significant decline in contributions this Ramadan season, particularly from overseas. The World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) reported that its charitable receipts had fallen by some 30 percent compared to pre 9/11. WAMYs director, Saleh... UN Still Struggling With Comprehensive Anti Terrorism ConventionBy Victor ComrasThe behind the scenes negotiations at the United Nations on a new comprehensive anti-terrorism convention are coming to a close with little result. The working group set up by the General Assemblys Sixth (Legal) Committee October 3rd to hammer out... FATF Paris Summit Underscores Continuing AML and Terrorist Financing ProblemsBy Victor ComrasFATFs Fall 2005 summit meeting in Paris, October 12-14th brought together some 400 delegates from 32 jurisdictions and 16 international organizations to review the progress made in combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Highlights of the meeting included the removal... Ramadan Is Time For Giving. But To Whom?By Victor ComrasRamadan is a time of giving, when Muslims of all denominations consider their religious obligations of Zakat and Sadaqah. But this has become increasingly difficult for America's Islamic community. Muslims in the United States have become increasingly cautious when it... Kashmir Earthquake: Opportunities for Peace and for TerrorismBy Victor ComrasDisasters like the October 8th earthquake in Kashmir, Pakistan and India, can bring out the best and the worst in people. And we are likely to see both aspects of human nature in Kashmir where so many groups have their... Terrorism and Data Protection: Balancing Privacy and SecurityBy Victor ComrasThe threat of terrorism has given rise over the past four years to an expanding array of new security measures in Europe and here at home that intrude into areas previously considered by many as protected by rights of privacy.... EU?s New Comprehensive Anti-Terrorism Strategy Not All That Its Cracked Up To Be!By Victor ComrasLast week the EU Commission proposed four new measures to strengthen the EUs counter-terrorism program. The Commission cast their proposals as a new comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy. But, the measures they proposed certainly lack sufficient substance to justify such billing.... Spain and Germany Feud Over EU Arrest WarrantBy Victor ComrasSpanish judicial authorities have finally reacted to last July's decision of the German Constitutional Court to release suspected Madrid Bombing suspect Mamoun Darkanzali (see my earlier blog) rather than extradite him to Spain under a Spanish issued EU Arrest Warrant.... Tightening Up on Correspondent Accounts for Non-US PersonsBy Victor ComrasSenator Shelby, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, used the Nomination Hearing for new Assistant Treasury Secretary for Terrorism Financing Patrick OBrien to express his concern that the US is still not doing enough to stem the flow of funds... Its time to Put Yasin Al Kadi Out of Business!By Victor ComrasThis note follows up on Doug Farahs and Evan Kohlmanns excellent posts concerning the US Treasury designation of Dr. Abdul Latif Saleh, a close business associate of Saudi billionaire Yasin Al Kadi (aka al-Qadi). This designation is quite intriguing. Saleh... Youssef Nada Wins Again! But What About the UN Sanctions?By Victor ComrasIncredibly a Swiss Court has ordered the Swiss Federation to pay 123,125.10 Swiss Francs ($96,000) to Youssef Nada as damages with regard to the Swiss Federal Prosecutors Office failure to pursue its criminal case against Nada. The basis for the... UN 60th GA Summit Misses Its Mark in Combating TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThis week's United Nations summit in New York was billed as the largest gathering of heads of state and government in history. So it is a pity the document they came to endorse is not so much a recipe for... UN Diplomats Drop Efforts to Define TerrorismBy Victor ComrasNo one ever thought that reforming the United Nations would be an easy task or that we were about to return the United Nations to its role as an effective protector of international peace and security. Yet, we should all... Belgium Shows New Seriousness in Fighting Terrorism at Home and AbroadBy Victor ComrasThe Belgium Government has just brought its first criminal action under new anti-terrorism legislation that makes it a criminal offense to be a member of a terrorist or terrorist support group. Formal charges were lodged August 29th against 13 Islamic... Why Did it Take the UN Two Years to Designate Al Akhtar Trust as an Al Qaeda Supporting Organization?By Victor ComrasOn October 14, 2003 the US Treasury Department designated Al Akhtar Trust as a terrorist support organization linked with Al Qaeda. Treasury Secretary Snow indicated that the US would immediately request that Al Akhtar Trust be designated also by the... Arab Bank Signs Consent Orders with FINCEN and OCCBy Victor ComrasArab Bank has reached an agreed settlement with FINCEN and OCC concerning allegations of money laundering conducted through its New York Branch. The money laundering allegations relate to the failure of the New York branch of Arab bank to monitor... Madrid!, London!, Will Rome be Next?By Victor ComrasThe attacks in Madrid and London are having extraordinary security reverberations in Italy. Italian Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu has successfully pushed through Italian Parliament a package of new anti-terrorism measures that clamp down hard on illegal immigration and on radical... When it Comes to Putting Terrorist Financiers Out of Business We have Just "Lost another one to ditech!"By Victor ComrasI dont mean to be flippant in using that commercial advertising phrase, but it captures the sense of frustration associated with our apparent inability to hold known terrorist financiers criminally accountable. The latest setback is in a case in Oregon... Abu Hamza al-Masri UK Trial DelayedBy Victor ComrasThe Trial of Shiek Abu Hamza al-Masri, the fiery Finsbury Park Mosque imam, for instigating terrorism and soliciting the murder of non-Muslims has been delayed until January 9, 2006. The Trial was to have begun July 5, 2005, just two... Is Saddam Money Still Funding Iraqi Terrorism?By Victor ComrasCongress held two hearings this last week aimed at learning more about the flow of money into Iraqi insurgency hands. One dealt with Syria and the oil for food program (where I had the opportunity to testify). The other was... EU?s new Counter-Terrorism Financing Proposals Tighten Fund Transfer RequirementsBy Victor ComrasEuropes heightened concern with terrorism and terrorism financing led the EU Commission this week to propose new regulations effectively eliminating anonymous fund transfers. The regulations would require that all transfers originating outside the EU banking system be accompanied by indications... Getting the UN to Beef Up its Role in Combating TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThe July 7, 2005 London mass transit bombings gave a fresh jolt to the international community and underscored the continuing need to beef up the international response to terrorism. British, European and other world leaders expressed anew their determination to... German Court Releases Al Qaeda Terrorism Suspect Mamoun DarkazanliBy Victor ComrasGermanys Constitutional Court has just dealt European counter-terrorism efforts a major setback. The Court ruled against Germanys extraditing Mamoun Darkazanli to Spain to face terrorism related charges, and ordered his release. Darkazanli, a suspected al Qaeda operative was being held... Europe To Adopt Patriot Act-Like MeasuresBy Victor ComrasEuropean Justice/Interior Ministers got down to business in Brussels, July 13th and laid out an accelerated program to strengthen Europes counter-terrorism measures. High on their list of priorities were measures to monitor, gather and retain information viewed as critical to... Stronger Teeth Needed For Counter-Terrorism MeasuresBy Victor ComrasThe London bombing brought home once again the fact that radical Islamic terrorism poses a severe and present danger. The attack produced renewed calls for urgent action at the local, EU and international level. Britains first actions were directed at... Tracking the London Bombers: Follow the Money If You Can!By Victor ComrasAn intense investigation is now underway to identify, capture and prosecute those responsible for the 7/7 London public transit system bombings. Following the money will be a very important part of this investigation. The process starts with the gathering of... G-8 Leaders Resolute on Terrorism and Nuclear Non-ProliferationBy Victor ComrasG-8 leaders stood together at the close of the Gleneagles Summit to declare their resolve to stay the course and defeat terrorism. We came to Gleneagles to work to combat poverty and save and improve lives, Blair stated. We have... The London Aftermath: Europe and the US Need to Rethink Protection for Mass TransitBy Victor ComrasThe London terrorist attacks should cause the EU to seriously reconsider its recently adopted critical infrastructure protection strategy. As I reported in my June 29th Blog, The EU Commission only a few weeks ago elected to adopt a low key... The London Attacks: What Now For The G-8By Victor ComrasInternational terrorism was to be a back burner issue at this years Gleneagles G-8 summit. But, todays horrendous terrorist attacks against Londons subway and bus system will likely place new urgent priority on the counter-terrorism agenda issue. Initial planning called... Counter-Proliferation and Counter-Terrorism: Two Major Challenges for the G-8By Victor ComrasThis years G-8 summit, which began this evening at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, certainly has a full agenda of major international issues. They will discuss global warming, debt relief and aid for Africa, and a plethora of international... Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Europe Looks to the OwnersBy Victor ComrasWhos responsibility for protecting critical infrastructure from terrorist attack? The European Commission opened a major debate on the topic at the June 27th New Defense Agenda meeting in Brussels. And its initial planning calls for a modest 140 million Euro... Hostage Taking: A Growing Source of Revenue for the Iraq InsurgencyBy Victor ComrasHostage taking for ransom is now big business in Iraq and is increasingly being used to fund terrorism and the insurgency. While it is often difficult to distinguish kidnap and ransom for terrorism, as opposed to criminal motives, there are... Youssef Nada (Al Taqwa) Says He's Ready to Testify Before CongressBy Victor ComrasAccording to a press report today out of Lugano Switzerland, UN Designated Al Qaeda Financier Youssef Nada, has indicated a desire to appear before the US Congress to clear his name. Nada, who headed Bank Al Taqwa and other financial... Saudi Arabia -- Promises, Promises!By Victor ComrasAccording to a press report in the June 19th Issue of Arab News, Saudi Maj. Gen Mansour Al-Turki, the Spokesman for Saudi Arabias Ministry of Interior announced that The Interior Ministry is in the final stages of completing the procedures... Biometric Travel Documents -- Europe Continues to Argue -- While the US Agrees to Further PostponementBy Victor ComrasA fresh debate is raging in Europe over the efficacy of biometic passports and identity cards. This new debate is just getting started and follows closely on a US decision to grant European Countries an additional year to get their... Switzerland Files Criminal Charges Against Saudi Businessman For Financing TerrorismBy Victor ComrasAccording to an AP source story (in French) coming out of Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Prosecutors Office has filed charges against an unnamed Saudi Businessman for his involvement in financing Al Qaeda. The case will now be handled by an... Gingrich-Mitchell Task Force Hits Hard on Need to Reform U.N. Handling of Terrorism and WMD IssuesBy Victor ComrasThe Gingrich-Mitchell Task Force looked closely at the operations of the United Nations from a US interest perspective and concluded, as other international panels before it, that the United Nations response to the three most important challenges to international peace... Europe is Working on a New Terrorist Tracking SystemBy Victor ComrasSince the 2004 Madrid Train bombing there has been new momentum behind Europes plan to put together a shared information data base designed to deal with cross border threats of terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime and other criminal activities. The... Tightening Oversight over Companies Doing Business in Bad PlacesBy Victor ComrasReports are surfacing that the Securities and Exchange Commission has finally begun to take action to carry out a mandate given it in the 2004 Appropriations Act (passed in November 2003) to take a more active interest in overseeing the... Is There Any Way to Give FATF Some Teeth!By Victor ComrasBy FATF standards, the organization has just completed a very successful three day meeting in Singapore. FATF and its Asia/Pacific counterpart organization both conducted a broad review of money laundering and terrorism financing issues. They continued, like the international community... Madrid Democracy and Terrorism Conference Documents Now on InternetBy Victor ComrasThe Club de Madrid has just published the full set of the Madrid Conference papers based on the discussions and conclusions of its various working groups. During the months preceding the Madrid Conference some two hundred experts and scholars exchanged... Switzerland To Join the EU Schengen Open Border Area: But There Are Still Terrorism VulnerabilitiesBy Victor ComrasThe Swiss Government has announced that it will adhere to the Schengen Accords and join the EU open internal border space. The "Schengen Area" now includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,... UN Colleagues Question the Merits of The Case Against StephanidesBy Victor ComrasThere was much corridor discussion today at the UN over the Secretary General's "Summary Dismissal" of Joseph Stephanides for his role in the 1996 selection of Lloyd's Register for the contract to verify humanitarian goods imported into Iraq under the... Scapegoating at the United Nations: The Joseph Stephanides CaseBy Victor ComrasThe United Nations Spokesman announced this afternoon that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had "summarily dismissed Joseph Stephanides for serious misconduct." The Secretary General's decision is based on the finding that Stephanides divulged information to the United Kingdom's UN Mission... Swiss Drop their Case Against Al Taqwa and Youssef NadaBy Victor ComrasThe Swiss Prosecutors office has been forced to drop its criminal case against Youssef Nada and Al Taqwa for its role in financing al Qaeda and terrorism. The Prosecutors were given a May 31, 2005 deadline by the Swiss Court... Sending Mixed Signals Re Saudi Arabia?s Contribution to the War on TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThe Bush Administration seems of late to be alternating criticism and compliments when it comes to Saudi Arabias actions in the war on terrorism. Two days ago Secretary of State Condolezza Rice told an Audience at the San Francisco Commonwealth... NPT Review Conference Characterized As a Flop!By Victor ComrasThe 2005 NPT Review Conference at the United Nations in New York concluded May 27, 2005 with few accomplishments and even less momentum for the future. The Financial Times called it "A wasted month of nuclear negotiations."Conference President Sergio de... NPT Review Conference Can't Get Its Act TogetherBy Victor ComrasThe 2005 NPT Review Conference at the United Nations in New York is now in its final week. The session ends May 27th. There was a great deal of expectation at the opening of this important conference that the international... No Solace Likely for Terrorism Financiers in US Courts -- But That's Not Always the Case AbroadBy Victor ComrasAl Haramain's ex Director General Aqeel Abdulaziz Al-Aqil is the latest terrorist financier to bring suit to challenge their designation by the US Treasury and UN Al Qaeda Committee as al Qaeda financial supporters. Al-Aqil announced his intention earlier this... Council of Europe Summit Issues Two New European Anti-Terrorism ConventionsBy Victor ComrasThe Council of Europe convened a two-day summit meeting in Warsaw May 16th to consider its future role in light of European Union Enlargement. The organization's 46 members also opened for signature three new European Wide Conventions including a new... EU Adopts Five Year Action Plan to Combat Terrorism, Illegal Immigration and Organized CrimeBy Victor ComrasThe Commission of the European Union has just issued its new 5 year implementation plan related to securing enhanced Freedom, Justice and Security" for all its citizens and member states. A large part of the program deals with combating terrorism,... Its Time For Switzerland "to Fish or Cut Bait" in the Nada/Al Taqwa Case (SPECIAL UPDATE 5-13)By Victor ComrasThe Swiss Federal Court in Bellinzona has ordered Federal Prosecutors Valentin Roschbacher and Claude Nicati to either move forward with their prosecution of Youssef Nada and his Al Taqwa organization or drop the charges (see SwissInfo). The court responded May... Getting Ready for the June US-EU Summit in WashingtonBy Victor ComrasThe EU hosted a senior US level delegation May 10th to review US-EU cooperation on terrorism financing during the past year and prepare for the upcoming June 25-26 US-EU Summit in Washington DC. Both sides had agreed last June at... Volcker Hits Back on Confidentiality Breach (Updated May 10th) (Second Update May 16th)By Victor ComrasAt IIC Chairman Paul Volcker's request, the United Nations filed papers in US District Court to restrain access to the documents provided to the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations by ex IIC investigator Robert Parton. Fox News reports May 10th that... Getting Around Diplomatic Immunity is Easy: Just Ignore It: (Update May 6th)By Victor ComrasOne can argue quite a while and a bit about the nuances and effects of Diplomatic Immunity. But it really doesn't matter if the parties involved choose to ignore it. At least that's what appears to have happened last night... Does the Volcker Commission Have Diplomatic Immunity? The Answer is Unclear. (Updated May 6th)By Victor ComrasIt looks like we are headed for a major confrontation between Senator Norm Coleman, R-Minn., the chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Paul Volcker as to whether the Senate can compel two ex Volcker Commission investigators, Robert... Dispute Looms With Europe On Biometric PassportsBy Victor ComrasThe United States appears intent on sticking to its October 26, 2005 deadline for imposing machine readable biometic data in passports or visas for all non americans entering the United States. The EU has indicated that not all of its... Security Council Reviews Progress Against TerrorismBy Victor ComrasIt may be a sign of the times that the UN Security Council could hold an open session on the progress in the war on terrorism, as it did yesterday, and attract so little press and other attention. During yesterday's... Syria to Sign Counter-Terrorism Financing Convention: An Empty Gesture!By Victor ComrasSyria has announced its intention to sign the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism Financing. Under the treaty, states must "make the provision of such funding a criminal offence under their domestic laws, and confiscate assets allocated for... Balancing Human Rights and Aggressive Tactics in the War on TerrorismBy Victor ComrasNow that the War on Terrorism is settling in for the long haul, there is a growing perception, at home and abroad, that counter-terrorism actions are taking a toll on human rights. More than one repressive regime has used the... G-7 and Terrorism Financing: Looking Toward GleneaglesBy Victor ComrasThe G-7 Finance Ministers Statement at the close of their meeting in Washington April 15-16 provides a small glimpse into G-7 thinking re the terrorism financing agenda item for this summers G8 Summit at Gleneagles. It appears doubtful that any... John Bolton: Another Story - Another ViewBy Victor ComrasThere are several stories out and about regarding John Bolton and his character and fitness for appointment as US Ambassador to the United Nations. In fairness to John Bolton, I'd like to add another.... Terrorism Financing: A New Emphasis on Tracking. But Will It Be Effective?By Victor ComrasA major tactical argument is brewing within the government, the banking community and among terrorism financing experts over whether to freeze or to track funds related to terrorism financing. The initial response after the 9/11 attack was to seek out... Europe: Biometric Passports May be Years AwayBy Victor ComrasEurope is moving slowly to issue new biometric passports that will comply with new US Entry requirements set to go into effect in October 2005 (See Bill West's Blog on "Border Security?") . The EU directives calling for new biometric... Mr. Volcker, Where's the Beef?By Victor ComrasLike many, I waited for, and read the second Volcker Commission Interim Report with great anticipation. I have now slugged through both interim reports, and all I can say is Wheres the Beef! Taken together the two interim reports appear... Oil for Food Update: UN Decides Not to Pay Benon Sevan's Legal FeesBy Victor ComrasThe UN Secretary General's Press Spokesman, Fred Eckhard indicated yesterday afternoon that the UN had decided that "it is not appropriate to reimburse Benon Sevans legal bills for his appearances before the Volcker Commission (Independent Inquiry Committee)." They will... The Case Against Youssef Nada and Al Taqwa: Will Switzerland Now Prosecute?By Victor ComrasThere are growing signs that Switzerland will soon file formal criminal charges against Youssef Nada and his al Taqwa bank. Switzerland may also be prepared to follow up on a similar case against Saudi businessman Yasin Al-Qadi (see my earlier... Update on Sevan's Legal Fees: The Makings of Another UN Imbroglio!By Victor ComrasThe UN was caught short on its explanation yesterday concerning its agreement to pay Benon Sevan's legal fees. Their initial written statement implied that the Volcker Commission had condoned the payment in order to facilitate Sevan's appearance. That riled members... Is the UN Really Paying Benon Sevan's Legal Fees?By Victor ComrasToday's Press Briefing at the United Nations was out of the ordinary. These briefings are usually staid affairs and fireworks are quite rare. But today's dialogue between the press and UN Spokesman Fred Eckhard had considerable tension and drama. The... Secretary General Annan's Report: UN Speak with Positive GoalsBy Victor ComrasSecretary General Kofi Annan's comprehensive report on how to adapt and strengthen the UN to handle 21st Century challenges is now public. It covers the full range of UN activities, including, but not limited, to fostering international peace and security.... Turkey Prosecutor Absolves Yasin Al-Qadi, But Is He Right!By Victor ComrasArab News reported March 20th that Turkeys Chief Public Prosecutor formally ruled there is no evidence to suggest that Saudi businessman Yasin al-Qadi has been involved in any funding for Al Qaeda and that there was no grounds for the... Madrid Terrorism Conference Makes Important Recommendations. But, Will Anybody Listen?By Victor ComrasThe Madrid International Summit on Democracy, Security, and Terrorism came and went without much press coverage, or notice, in the United States. Other countries gave it somewhat greater play. It brought together some 200 international leaders, personages and terrorism experts.... Kofi Annan Outlines New UN Global Strategy to Combat TerrorismBy Victor ComrasUN Secretary General Kofi Annan used the Madrid International Summit on Democracy, Security and Terrorism to outlined what he called a new principled, comprehensive strategy to fight terrorism globally. He was responding to the recommendations of a High Level Panel... Afghan Opium Production Continues to RiseBy Victor ComrasWhile the just issued State Department's annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report has attracted considerable press, particularly the parts dealing with Afghan Opium, the recently issued UN Survey of Opium Production in Afghanistan garnered less attention. This important 125 page... Whats Really Happening to Saudi Charities?By Victor ComrasReviewing some past research, I re-discovered a very reveiling recent news account published by Arab News regarding Saudi actions against charities. This article deserves special attention! Arab News, which is published simultaneously in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran, is one of... Europe Approaches the First Anniversary of the Madrid Train BombingsBy Victor ComrasNearly a year has past since the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombing. Since then Europe has committed itself to strengthening cooperation and information sharing between its member states. They have also placed a high priority on improving police and... UN's 661 Committee Never Saw the OIO Audits of the Oil For Food ProgramBy Victor ComrasThe UN Spokesman stated February 24th that the Secretariat had never turned over to the 661 Committee any of the Oil For Food Audit Reports prepared by the Office of Internal Oversight. The 661 Committee, composed of Security Council Members,... What Value UN Designation? Not Much When It Comes to Ahmed Idris Nasreddin!By Victor ComrasAhmed Idris Nasreddin, and his international business interests, continues to provide a shameful example of the ineffective application of UN measures to curb terrorism financing. Nasreddin was identified and designated by the US Treasury Department and the UN Al Qaeda... OFF: Who Can Waive Immunity of the Secretary General?By Victor ComrasThe Deputy Secretary-General was asked yesterday who can waive the immunity of a Secretary-General. The answer can be found in the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which says, in article V section 20, that... Draft European Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism Is Opened For Public CommentBy Victor ComrasThe Council of Europe's Intra-governmental Committee of Experts on Terrorism agreed, at its meeting in Strasbourg February 7 - 11, 2005 to open the new draft European Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism for public comment. The text of the... UN Al Qaeda's Monitoring Team ReportsBy Victor ComrasThe Monitoring Team that supports the UN Security Council's Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee has just published its second report. The report had been held up by the Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee for some six weeks for... What is the Real Value of FATF's NCCT List?By Victor ComrasAccording to FATF, the world may be safer when it comes to money laundering and terrorism financing. Its list of Non Cooperating Countries -- that is, countries that lack the appropriate restrictions and resources to combat money laundering and terrorism... OFF Scandal: Getting It Straight About Lloyd's RegisterBy Victor ComrasThe Volcker Commission Interim Report has charged that, in setting up the Oil for Food program, UN Secretariat officials deviated from the UN's procurement regulations. Their selection of BNP,Saybolt and Lloyd's Register, the report finds, was based largely on "political"... What's Happened to CTAG?By Victor ComrasDoes anybody out there know what's happening with CTAG. I've lost track. Perhaps I'll have to wait for this summer's G-8 meeting at Gleneagles in the United Kingdom. It seems that the only time we hear of this important Counter-terrorism... UN May Soon Announce New Terrorism StrategyBy Victor ComrasUN Secretary General stated his intention February 7, 2005, to put forth new ideas for a UN anti-terrorism strategy. Annan's statement delivered to delegates attending the four day international counter-terrorism conference in Riyadh was in response to a recommendation from... France and Canada to Share Terrorism Financing intelligenceBy Victor ComrasFrance and Canada signed a memorandum of understanding, February 1, 2005, to share intelligence related to suspected money laundering and terrorism financing activities. The agreement is between the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and its French... UN HR Experts Condemn Incommunicado Detentions at GUANTANAMOBy Victor ComrasSix UN human rights experts, including Lela Zerrougui, Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights issued a Joint Statement, February 4, 2005 expressing their serious concerns with the treatment of prisoners... US Knew Saddam was Cheating OFF ProgramBy Victor ComrasThe Oil for Food Scandal has been an open secret at least since early 2000. The latest revelations that the Bush Administration knew all along that Saddam was circumventing the oil for food program by shipping oil outside OFF controls... The UN Reviews Its Role in Combating TerrorismBy Victor ComrasThe UN is grappling anew with its role in the war on terrorism. New leadership has taken over in both the UN's Al Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee and its Counter-terrorism Committee. The Security Council also established a new working... |