Free Republic

Treasury Blocks Assets of U.S. Arm of Saudi Charity Suspected of Funding Al-Qaida Feb. 19, 2004 By Jeannine Aversa / Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - The government has ordered banks to freeze the assets of the U.S. arm of a large Saudi charity that is accused of funneling contributions to help finance al-Qaida's terrorist activities. The action announced Thursday affects the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation's operations in Ashland, Ore., and Springfield, Mo., said Richard Newcomb, director of the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control. OFAC said the financial assets and property belonging to those branches "are blocked pending investigation"...