|
|
|
 |
FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
|
|
It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
|
Posted on 07/10/2003 9:30:29 AM PDT by knighthawk
BATAM: Suspected terror group Jemaah Islamiyah uses a network of overseas Indonesian workers to smuggle money across borders to elude an international clampdown on suspicious transactions, a top official said Wednesday.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States, countries have tried to halt terrorists' access to funds by scrutinizing suspicious electronic transfers of money.
``We've cut off much of their money supply,'' Indonesian intelligence chief Hendropriyono told the media. ``But their money comes from private donations sent to Jemaah Islamiyah through couriers, such as Indonesian workers who work in foreign countries and then return home. This is incredibly difficult to clamp down on.''
He didn't specify where the money was coming from or how many people were involved in the smuggling network.
Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians work throughout Asia and the Middle East, mainly doing low-paid manual labour. Most return home every year or two, bringing their savings with them to share with their families.
Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah wants to establish an Islamic state across Muslim parts of Southeast Asia. It has been blamed for the Oct. 12 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.
It has also been accused of plotting a series of attacks against Western targets across Southeast Asia. Scores of its suspected members have been detained in the region, including Indonesia.
``We are hunting them down hard,'' said Hendropriyono, who uses a single name. But he added that the group was still active and its junior members had assumed the posts of arrested leaders.
Hendropriyono made the comments on Batam island, near Singapore, ahead of a ceremony marking the start of construction of Indonesia's first two spy schools.
Last month, police arrested a suspected top organiser of the Bali bombings along with 10 other Islamic militants as they were allegedly plotting new terror attacks.
|
|
|
|
|
FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
|
|
It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
|
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.