US Senate questions Tamraz on campaign donations
Lebanon, International, 9/18/1997

Roger Tamraz was one of several people called upon to testify before the US Senate Governmental Affairs Comittee today as a part of a probe into questionable campaign donations. Tamraz, an American businessman who was born in Lebanon, donated an estimated $300,000 to the Democratic party and was granted a visit to the White House in which he met US President Bill Clinton, despite misgivings on the part of the National Security Council (NSC).

Tamraz said that "political access" was a reason for his donations. The Senate inquiry centered on whether Tamraz used that access to forward his potentially lucrative idea of an oil pipeline running from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean. Tamraz stated that he did not specifically ask for any favors to advance the project. He said his message was, "If somebody wants to hear me out, I'm available."

In his testimony, Tamraz said that his goals were not necessarily incompatbale with those of the country, suggesting that he had risked his life for the US, including working with the CIA.

Tamraz was tried in absentia by a Lebanese military court last July, which found him guilty as part of a 1987 passport-stealing case and sentenced him to eight years in prision. He is also sought by Lebanese authorities in connection with a bank embezzlement case.

Tamraz fled Lebanon in 1989 amid charges that he embezzled 200 million US dollars from the Intra Investment Company. Tamraz, a financial adviser for former Lebanese president Amin Gemayel, was chairman of Intra Bank when it was declared bankrupt.

Lebanon has issued two international arrest warrants against Tamraz on charges of fraud, embezzlement and fraudulent bankruptcy since 1989.

Previous Stories:
  American Tamraz going to prison, if caught   (7/24/1997)

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