US executive praise of Saudi government in fighting terrorism, urged to do more
Saudi Arabia-USA, Politics, 11/9/2005

The government of Saudi Arabia has taken forceful action to confront the threat of terrorism domestically, but needs to do more to prevent Saudi funds from being used to promote Islamic extremism in other countries, says a US Treasury official.

"Saudi Arabia is aggressively tackling the scourge of extremism and terrorism it faces within the kingdom," said Daniel Glaser from the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, but added that the government should "go after individual contributors to extremist organizations and monitor how Saudi funds sent overseas, including Saudi government funds, are being used."

Glaser made his remarks in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee November 8, noting that even though Saudi Arabia has gone further than many other nations in seriously addressing illicit terrorist financing, it "needs to take its efforts in this area to the next level."

Among the actions already taken by the kingdom since the May 2003 terrorist attacks in its capital city of Riyadh are:

¥ Reporting requirements for carriers of cash in excess of $16,000 transiting its borders;

¥ Requiring charities to consolidate their banking activities into one principal account;

¥ Allowing charities to make payments only by check, no cash disbursements, that then must be deposited in a Saudi bank;

¥ Preventing money from charities to be transferred outside of Saudi Arabia; and

¥ Enhancing customer identification requirements.

"The Saudis have demonstrated serious determination to take aggressive action against al-Qaida," he said. "The Saudi government has also taken steps to address the more fundamental issue of confronting extremist ideology by waging a campaign within the kingdom against those it terms 'deviants' who pervert Islam to preach violence. This campaign has included working with religious leaders to eliminate hatred-filled sermons and repeated statements by the king addressing this issue."

Still, he said, wealthy Saudi donors continue to fund violent extremists around the world.

In particular, Glaser pointed to Saudi international nongovernmental organizations, specifically, the International Islamic Relief Organization, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth and the Muslim World League, which, he said, are capable of transferring money between overseas branches, thereby, evading regulation by Saudi authorities.

Saudi Arabia must address the issue of private donors, a matter that has been raised with it on numerous occasions, he said.

In addition, Glaser said that it is vitally important "for Saudi Arabia to act resolutely against all terrorist organizations, and to cut off support for groups like HAMAS intent on undermining progress towards peace and undermining the Palestinian Authority."

He said the United States encourages Saudi Arabia to accept "the challenge of leadership" in developing a broader approach to terrorism that includes vigilance over possible avenues of terrorist financing not yet regulated and zero-tolerance for support of any terrorist organization.

Previous Stories:
  Rice to start US -Saudi strategic dialog   (11/4/2005)
  Hughes commends Saudi Arabia, calls it to honor non Muslims   (9/28/2005)
  Washington freezes assets of the opposition Saudi movement for reforms   (7/15/2005)
  US calls Saudi Arabia for more measures to stop financing terrorism   (7/15/2005)

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