Posted on 04/26/2006 6:55:20 PM PDT by blam
US blocks Hariri suspects' assets
A massive car bomb targeted Mr Hariri's motorcade in Beirut
US President George W Bush has ordered a freeze on the assets of anyone linked to the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri. The order called for the assets to be blocked of anyone linked to the Hariri killing - or to "terrorist acts" in Lebanon in which Syria is implicated.
Mr Bush said the order was based on UN findings against Lebanon and Syria.
A UN probe has implicated top Syrian officials and their Lebanese allies in the February 2005 attack on Mr Hariri.
Syria has denied it was involved in the massive bomb blast that killed the former Lebanese leader as his motorcade was passing the seafront in Beirut.
His death prompted street protests and international pressure on Damascus to withdraw the troops it had stationed in Lebanon for nearly three decades.
Elections held after Syria withdrew its forces brought to power a coalition of parties campaigning for an end to Damascus' influence in Lebanon.
'UN evidence'
The US order for the freezing of assets did not name any suspects in the Hariri killing.
President Bush's executive order said the move would affect anyone "involved in planning, sponsoring, organising, or perpetrating the terrorist act in Beirut, Lebanon.. related to Hariri's assassination".
He said additional steps were being taken "concerning certain actions of the government of Syria".
The president said his order took into account evidence published by the UN "pointing to both Lebanese and Syrian involvement in terrorist acts".
Mr Hariri's death was followed by a wave of bombings targeting prominent opponents of Syrian influence in Lebanon.
Syria has been accused by the UN of not fully co-operating with the inquiry into Mr Hariri's assassination.
Ping.
Why would anybody from that gang keep their assets in the US, especially when they have access to the Gulf banks? What was the name of that major bank which collapsed there a decade or so ago?
Was that BCCI?
BCCI was a Pakistani bank used by the Saudi's to fund the 'Muslin bomb' of Pakistan. It's also the bank that gave Jimmy Carter $13 million dollars...Also, Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young and etc.
And this has only just now being done?
Thank you. Right, it was BCCI, but the name has somehow slipped my memory. So, when they have access to all these BCCIs, why would they keep sizeable assets in the United States? There wouldn't be much to freeze or seize.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.