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Al-Qaeda operates in occuppied Cyprus ( by Turkey )
U.S. Department of State ^ | 03-01-2002 | U.S. Department of State

Posted on 03/02/2002 10:10:12 PM PST by pkpjamestown

"trnc"

(Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish military intervention of 1974, following a coup d’etat directed from Greece. Since then, the southern part of the country has been under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part is controlled by a Turkish Cypriot administration that in 1983 proclaimed itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." The U.S. government recognizes only the Government of the Republic of Cyprus.)

It is more difficult to evaluate anti-money laundering efforts in the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC") but there continues to be strong evidence of a growing trade in narcotics with Turkey and Britain, as well as significant money laundering activities.

"TRNC" authorities have enacted a money laundering law for northern Cyprus, which went into effect in November 1999. The main thrust of the law was to reduce the number of cash transactions in the "TRNC" as well as to improve the tracking of any transactions above U.S. $10,000. The law also provides for the creation of an experts committee to advise "TRNC" authorities on combating money laundering as well as for the seizure of assets.

The law is an adjunct to the "TRNC’s" Exchange Control Law of 1997, which requires banks to report to the "central bank" any movement of funds in excess of $100,000. Such reports must include information identifying the person transferring the money, the source of the money, and its destination. The law also proscribes individuals entering or leaving the "TRNC" from transporting more than U.S. $10,000 in currency. Under the new law, banks, non-bank financial institutions, and foreign exchange dealers must report all currency transactions over $20,000 and suspicious transactions in any amount. Banks must follow a know-your-customer policy and require customer identification. Banks must also submit suspicious transactions to a central multi-agency committee that will function as an FIU and have investigative powers.

"TRNC" officials believe that its 24 essentially unregulated casinos are the primary vehicles through which money laundering occurs. There is also an offshore sector, consisting of 40 banks and 12 IBCs. The offshore banks may not conduct business with "TRNC" residents and may not deal in cash. However, these banks are not audited and their records are not publicly available. Reportedly, a new law will restrict the granting of new bank licensees only to those banks already having licensees in an OECD country.

In spite of a growing awareness in the "TRNC" of the danger represented by money laundering, it is clear that "TRNC" regulations fail to provide effective protection against the risk of money laundering. The new law of the "TRNC" provides better banking regulations than were previously in force. The major weakness continues to be the "TRNC’s" many casinos, where a lack of resources and expertise leave that area, for all intended purposes, unregulated, and therefore, especially vulnerable to money laundering abuse.

In September 2001, a Turkish newspaper stated that Osama Bin-Laden used banks in the "TRNC" to launder money, which he then used to purchase munitions and to support his network of spies and training camps. Also in September, an Italian newspaper claimed that Al-Qaeda, through its channels in the "TRNC", supplied Muslims in the Balkans with U.S. $700 million from 1992-1998.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
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To: crystalk
Just wait, saith the Lord, until I make your enemies your footstool.
In that case I should be looking forward to a footstool made of crystal.
21 posted on 03/03/2002 5:44:52 PM PST by a_Turk
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To: a_Turk
Can we assume that Turkey is right now taking action to remove Alqaida access to the casinos and banks in TRNC?
22 posted on 03/03/2002 5:55:47 PM PST by RightWhale
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To: RightWhale
The casino operators,(Turkish Cypriot ruling regime), may call such action unfair "embargo"!
23 posted on 03/03/2002 6:42:56 PM PST by pkpjamestown
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To: RightWhale
Has not the international community moved months ago to freeze the assets of Al-Qaeda? One does not prevent Al-Qaeda access to banks by asking "Sir, are you affiliated to the Al-Qaeda organization please?" As long as there's a through and through embargo on TRNC, they'll have to conduct business in shady ways, that is only logical. And Al-Qaeda's financial dealings are regulated using all together different approaches.

pkpjonestown, of course, fails to mention that southern Cyprus laundered money for Milosevic. What the hell, Why did the US sell Hitler oil? Should the Turkish government sit there in front of every bank and ask people "are you Al-Qaeda?"

Anyway, since the shit has hit the fan, no one in their right mind will do any sort of business with Al-Qaeda. This guy tries to make it sound like we're behind the bastards, just to take the attention away from their barbaric racist murderous recent history...

And yes, the Turkish government has taken steps to shut down any fiduciary activity related to Al-Qaeda within the borders we control, and passes info on to other governments where persons in our minorities may be up to something.. That goes without saying.

But you can't ask people who were first butchered and then isolated for being saved to stop trying to make some sort of living... Now if you were to recognize them, then that would be a good move, one which would give the Turkish Cypriots a face in this world, sothat they would not have to transact shady deals..
24 posted on 03/03/2002 6:47:38 PM PST by a_Turk
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To: Aric2000
Are you ok?
25 posted on 03/03/2002 6:47:47 PM PST by pkpjamestown
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To: pkpjamestown
You'd make an excellent backstabber. You reming me of someone who lurks in the shadows, rubbing his palms together snickering.
26 posted on 03/03/2002 6:49:24 PM PST by a_Turk
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To: a_Turk
The Turkish Cypriot people did not make any money from thes deals. Who did? Who got rich? WHERE IS THE MONEY?
27 posted on 03/03/2002 6:52:55 PM PST by pkpjamestown
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To: pkpjamestown
Now there's a communist statement...
28 posted on 03/03/2002 6:56:35 PM PST by a_Turk
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To: a_Turk
Does the name Asil Nadir tell you anything? There was a lot of trade from occupied Cyprus, and a lot of corruption too. Trade between 100,000 Turkish Cypriots and 60 million Turks is not enough? No it's not, when the corrupt warlords run the trade. Just like in Turkey. Do you think the Turkish Cypriot are stupid? They can't see what is going on? By closing down their newspapers and by murdering reporters, the problems go away? Face the truth! Stop hiding behind your finger. Try to make your country better and let the Cypriots be.
29 posted on 03/03/2002 8:59:52 PM PST by pkpjamestown
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To: a_Turk
I am remembered of a Nasreddin Hoca tale:

Someone had stolen Hoca's donkey. He was hoping to hear some words of comfort from his friends, but instead he got an earful of talk like this:

"You should have locked the stable door."
"Didn't you hear anything?"
"You probably didn't tie up the donkey very well."

Hoca listened to them for as long as his patience would allow, and then finally said, "Enough is enough! You're blaming me for all this. In all fairness, was the thief guiltless?!"

30 posted on 03/04/2002 7:55:17 AM PST by Mortimer Snavely
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To: a_Turk
That was OUR God, and OUR enemies, that would be made OUR footstool, aka ottoman.

As to what Allah may have promised you, well, you can tell us about it if you want to, but we know the devil is deceiving. Probably it was 72 RAISINS, not 72 Virgins, they are going to get for killing themselves in jihad.

31 posted on 03/04/2002 10:24:41 AM PST by crystalk
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To: a_Turk;crystalk
"... shining Greek democracy ..."

Now there's an oxymoron for you.

32 posted on 03/04/2002 10:51:02 AM PST by BlueLancer
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To: BlueLancer
Tell Pericles about it.
33 posted on 03/04/2002 10:54:47 AM PST by crystalk
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Comment #34 Removed by Moderator

To: Mortimer Snavely
I haven't heard a Nasreddin Hoca story in long time. Thanks.
35 posted on 03/04/2002 4:58:42 PM PST by pkpjamestown
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To: Mortimer Snavely
This is fairly descent source of info, if you are interested.

The Cyprus Conflict

36 posted on 03/05/2002 6:52:26 AM PST by pkpjamestown
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To: eleni121
Turks are invaders and oppressors and butchers.

And they're bakers, candle-stick makers, grocers, car sales people, and all sorts of things. Your point? Other then spewing one biased side of a situation as factual?

37 posted on 03/05/2002 9:22:47 AM PST by zandtar
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To: eleni121
Turks are invaders and oppressors and butchers.

Calling a whole nation "invaders, oppressors and butchers" is a racist statement and no different than what Hitler said about the Jews, or other ethnic cleansers have said throughout history. I suggest you watch your words, sir, FreeRepublic does not tolerate such racism.

38 posted on 03/05/2002 10:23:22 AM PST by kuk77
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To: kuk77
I shall call Turks anything I like Mr Kuk member since 9/12/01!

Their government is responsible for atrocities, oppression and butchery and few if any Turks have had the guts to say anything. If they do, they end up in Turkish prisons.

And you have the effrontery to threaten me? Just try it!

39 posted on 03/05/2002 5:39:15 PM PST by eleni121
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To: zandtar
Since you obviously don't know beans about this matter why not keep the inanities to yourself.
40 posted on 03/05/2002 5:41:23 PM PST by eleni121
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