C 88 E/468 Official Journal of the European Union EN 8.4.2004
Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission
(9 January 2004)
The Commission is aware of the facts mentioned by the Honourable Member and follows events in Zimbabwe with concern and very closely. The Union has reacted promptly to the latest attacks against fundamental rights made by the Government of Zimbabwe.
Being deeply worried about the deterioration of the current situation with regard to the above, the Commission has fully supported the last two Declarations issued by the Presidency on behalf of the Union related to these matters: on 18 September 2003, a declaration on Freedom of Press in Zimbabwe by which the Union has condemned the closure of the Daily News and, recently, on 28 November 2003, a declaration expressing concern on the current situation in Zimbabwe, calling on the Government of Zimbabwe to respect fundamental rights and urging it to engage in active and meaningful dialogue with internal stakeholders as a way forward to solve the current crisis.
The Commission cannot confirm the information as referred to by the Honourable Member on the imminent promulgation of laws infringing the freedom and independence of the press and the non- governmental organisations (NGO’s) operating in Zimbabwe.
The Commission intends to pursue its assistance to civil society actors in order to support human rights and democratisation projects/activities and to allow them to enhance their capacity to promote internal dialogue.
(2004/C 88 E/0482) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3560/03 by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission
(1 December 2003)
Subject: Al-Qa’ida international funding networks
The Financial Times (UK) of 11 November 2003 reported that a UN report had revealed that despite ‘considerable progress’, al-Qa’ida and those funding it continue to operate on the international financial markets.
The international system set up to stop the flow of funds to al-Qa’ida is seriously endangered by the inadequate cooperation of many countries, legislative loopholes and the lack of political will to tackle this extremely serious problem.
The UN report makes particular reference to Youssef Nada and Ahmed Idris Nasreddin, administrators of the al-Taqwa financial Group, which the USA views as the most significant canvasser of funds for al- Qa’ida. European and North American researchers see the Group as the core of multiple terrorist activity funding networks, all benefiting from the collaboration of various Islamic financial and even charitable organisations.
The two men in question allegedly continue to have interests and property in Switzerland and Italy, despite their being classified as ‘terrorist financiers’, and their bank accounts being frozen.
Use of offshore financial centres and trusts appears to be the most common way of disguising the ownership and source of these financial flows.
Youssef Nada apparently travelled to Liechtenstein in January to change the registration of two companies linked to the al-Taqwa group, in violation of the UN-imposed ban. 8.4.2004 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 88 E/469
Al-Qa’ida, the Taliban and their collaborators and associates, according to the report, still possess the ability to obtain, demand, receive, transfer and distribute considerable sums.
The Commission: