[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://treas.gov/press/releases/hp834.htm

February 21, 2008
HP-834

Rami Makhluf Designated for Benefiting from Syrian Corruption

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated Rami Makhluf, a powerful Syrian businessman and regime insider whom improperly benefits from and aids the public corruption of Syrian regime officials. This action was taken today pursuant to Executive Order 13460, which targets individuals and entities determined to be responsible for or who have benefited from the public corruption of senior officials of the Syrian regime.

“Rami Makhluf has used intimidation and his close ties to the Asad regime to obtain improper business advantages at the expense of ordinary Syrians,” said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. “The Asad regime’s cronyism and corruption has a corrosive effect, disadvantaging innocent Syrian businessmen and entrenching a regime that pursues oppressive and destabilizing policies, including beyond Syria’s borders, in Iraq, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories.”

Syria is well known for its corrupt business environment, which denies the Syrian people economic prosperity and other freedoms. The considerable role the Asad family, their inner circle, and the Syrian security services exert over the economy, coupled with the absence of a free judicial system and the lack of transparency, concentrates wealth in the hands of certain classes and individuals. In turn, these classes and individuals depend upon this corrupt system for their success and fortune. Syrians without these connections are unable to improve their economic standing, and suffer as a result of policies implemented by an unaccountable regime.

President George W. Bush issued E.O. 13460 on February 13, 2008 to take additional measures to address the threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by certain conduct of the Government of Syria.

This new authority builds on E.O. 13338, which was issued by President Bush in May 2004, by targeting activities that entrench and enrich the Syrian regime and its cohorts thereby enabling the regime to continue to engage in threatening behavior, including actions that undermine efforts to stabilize Iraq. Corruption by the regime also reinforces efforts that deny the people of Syria political freedoms and economic prosperity, undercut peace and stability in the region, fund terrorism and violence, and undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon.

Pursuant to E.O. 13460, any assets that Makhluf holds under U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen, and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in business or transactions with Makhluf.

Identifying Information

Rami Makhluf
AKAs: MAKHLOUF, Rami
MAKHLOUF, Rami Bin Mohammed
MAKHLOUF, Rami Mohammad
DOB: July 10, 1969
POB: Syria
Passport Number: Syrian, 98044

Rami Makhluf is a powerful Syrian businessman who amassed his commercial empire by exploiting his relationships with Syrian regime members. Makhluf has manipulated the Syrian judicial system and used Syrian intelligence officials to intimidate his business rivals. He employed these techniques when trying to acquire exclusive licenses to represent foreign companies in Syria and to obtain contract awards.

Makhluf is the maternal cousin of President Bashar al-Asad and through this relationship, Makhluf has become a focal point of Syria’s telecommunications, commercial, oil, gas and banking sectors. Despite President Asad’s highly publicized anti-corruption campaigns, Makhluf remains one of the primary centers of corruption in Syria.

Makhluf’s influence with certain Syrian government officials has led to his being able to control the issuance of certain types of profitable commodities contracts. His close business associations with some Syrian cabinet ministers have enabled him to gain access to lucrative oil exploration and power plant projects. Makhluf’s preferential access to Syrian economic sectors has led to complaints about him from members of the Syrian business community.

Makhluf is the brother of Syrian General Intelligence Directorate official Hafiz Makhluf, who was previously designated under E.O. 13441.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp845.htm

February 28, 2008
HP-845

Treasury Designates Members of Abu Ghadiyah’s Network
Facilitates flow of terrorists, weapons, and money from Syria to al Qaida in Iraq

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four individuals facilitating and controlling the flow of money, weapons, terrorists, and other resources through Syria to al Qaida in Iraq (AQI), including to AQI commanders.

gSince the fall of Saddam Husseinfs regime, Syria has become a transit station for al Qaida foreign terrorists on their way to Iraq,h said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. gAbu Ghadiyah and his network go to great lengths to facilitate the flow through Syria of money, weapons, and terrorists intent on killing U.S. and Coalition forces and innocent Iraqis.h

Todayfs action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing financial or material support to terrorism. Any assets these designees have under U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen, and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in business or transactions with the designees.

Identifier Information

BADRAN TURKI HISHAN AL MAZIDIH
AKAs: Al-Mazidih, Badran Turki al-Hishan
Abu Ghadiyah
Al Mezidi, Badran Turki Hishan
Hishan, Badran Turki
Hisham, Badran al-Turki
Al-Turki, Badran
Al-Shafbani, Badran Turki Hisham al-Mazidih
Abu eAbdallah
Abu Abdullah
Shalash, Badran Turki Hayshan
Abu eAzzam
DOB: 1977
Alt. DOB: 1978 or 1979
POB: Mosul, Iraq
Residence: Zabadani, Syria

Syria-based Badran Turki Hishan Al Mazidih, also known as Abu Ghadiyah, runs the AQI facilitation network, which controls the flow of money, weapons, terrorists, and other resources through Syria into Iraq. Former AQI leader Abu Musfab al-Zarqawi appointed Badran as AQIfs Syrian commander for logistics in 2004. After Zarqawifs death, Badran began working for the new AQI leader, Abu Ayyub Al-Masri. As of late-September 2006, Badran took orders directly from Masri, or through a deputy.

Badran obtained false passports for foreign terrorists, provided passports, weapons, guides, safe houses, and allowances to foreign terrorists in Syria and those preparing to cross the border into Iraq. Badran received several hundred thousand dollars from his cousin Saddah „Ÿ also designated today „Ÿ and used these funds to support anti-U.S. military elements and the travel of AQI foreign fighters. Badran has also been using AQI funds for his personal use.

As of the spring of 2007, Badran facilitated the movement of AQI operatives into Iraq via the Syrian border. Badran also directed another Syria-based AQI facilitator to provide safe haven and supplies to foreign fighters. This AQI facilitator, working directly for Badran, facilitated the movement of foreign fighters primarily from Gulf countries, through Syria into Iraq.

GHAZY FEZZA HISHAN AL MAZIDIH
AKAs: Hishan, Ghazy Fezzaa
Abu Faysal
Shlash, Mushari Abd Aziz Saleh
Abu Ghazzy
DOB: 1974 or 1975
Residence: Zabadani, Syria

Ghazy Fezza Hishan Al Mazidih is Badranfs cousin and a member of his AQI facilitation network. As of March 2006, Ghazy was Badranfs gright-hand man.h As second-in command, Ghazy worked directly with Badran, managed network operations, and acted as the commander for Badranfs AQI network when Badran traveled. As of late-September 2006, Ghazy and Badran were planning to facilitate an AQI attack against Coalition forces and Iraqi police in Western Iraq. Ghazy and Badran planned to use rockets to attack multiple Coalition forces outposts and Iraqi police stations, in an attempt to facilitate an AQI takeover in Western Iraq.

AKRAM TURKI HISHAN AL MAZIDIH
AKAs: Al-Mazidih, Akram Turki Hishan
Abu Jarrah
Abu Akram
Al-Hishan, Akram Turki
DOB: 1974 or 1975
Alt. DOB: 1979
Residence: Zabadani, Syria

Akram Turki Hishan Al Mazidih is Badranfs brother and a member of his AQI facilitation network. As of early 2006, AQI leaders Akram and Badran directed AQI operations near Al Qafim, Iraq. In late-November 2006, Akram smuggled weapons from Syria for use in Iraq. As of late-September 2005, Akram acted on behalf of AQI by ordering the execution of AQIfs enemies. Akram also ordered the execution of all persons found to be working with the Iraqi Government or U.S. Forces, and at least one of Akramfs orders resulted in the execution of two Iraqis in Al Qafim, Iraq.

SADDAH JAYLUT AL-MARSUMI
AKAs: Al-Marsumi, Safda Jalut Hassam
Jalout, Saddaa
Jaloud, Safdaa
DOB: 1955 or 1956
Citizenship: Syrian
Residence: Al Shajlah Village, Syria
Alt. Residence: As Susah Village, Syria
Alt. Residence: Baghuz, Syria

As of the spring of 2006, Saddah Jaylut Al-Marsumi, Badranfs cousin, was an AQI financier who worked with Badran and other AQI facilitators to transport several unidentified Syrian suicide bombers into Iraq on behalf of AQI. Saddah also facilitated the financing and smuggling of AQI foreign fighters from Syria into Iraq. As of early 2006, Saddah transferred several hundred thousand dollars to a hawala in Iraq, where Badran received the funds and used them to support anti-U.S. military elements and the travel of AQI foreign fighters.