Boost Trump, Lawmakers Told
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MUMBAI | 22 FEBRUARY 2020 WORLD 11 . < Russia meddling in election to FATF warns Pakistan, keeps it on ‘Grey List’ boost Trump, lawmakers told PRESS TRUST OF INDIA AFP/PTI Trump has been at odds with much New Delhi, 21 February Washington, 21 February of the national security establishment since he took office and claims, without Global terror financing watch- ussia is interfering in the 2020 providing evidence, that a “deep state” dog FATF on Friday decided campaign to try to get US is working against him. Since he was continuation of Pakistan in R President Donald Trump re- acquitted by the Republican-led Senate, the ‘Grey List’ and warned the elected, US intelligence officials have an emboldened Trump has been purg- country of stern action if it warned lawmakers in a briefing that ing the Justice Department, National fails to check flow of money infuriated the president, who then Security Council and Pentagon of staff to terror groups like the LeT replaced his intelligence chief, US he considers disloyal. Casualties have and the JeM, sources said. media reported. Trump erupted in included NSC staffer Lieutenant The decision was taken at anger at acting director of national Colonel Alex Vindman and EU ambas- the Financial Action Task intelligence (DNI) Joseph Maguire sador Gordon Sondland — witnesses Force (FATF) plenary in when he learned of the February 13 ses- in the impeachment inquiry — Paris. The FATF has also sion with the House Intelligence Vindman’s twin brother, an NSC lawyer warned Pakistan that if it Committee, The Washington Post and who wasn’t involved, and Pentagon pol- does not complete a full New York Times said Thursday. icy chief John Rood. action plan by June, it could Maguire aide Shelby Pierson report- Democrats have voiced outrage lead to consequences on its edly told lawmakers Russia was once over the appointment of Grenell, who businesses, a source said. again meddling in the US election on US President Donald Trump replaced his intelligence chief after learning about has no relevant background or top-lev- The plenary noted that Trump’s behalf. Trump complained that intelligence officials' briefing, according to US media reports el management experience for the post Pakistan addressed only a the Democrats would use the informa- in which he will supervise 17 agencies, few of the 27 tasks given to it tion against him, the reports said. including the CIA. “He is committed to in controlling funding to The president was also annoyed by US, Taliban plan to sign deal on Feb 29 a non-political, non-partisan approach terror groups like the With Pakistan’s continuation in the Grey List, it will be the presence of Adam Schiff, the The US and the Taliban will sign an agreement on February 29 the end of a week-long as head of the Intelligence Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the difficult for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, Democratic head of the investigation period of violence reduction in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Community, on which our safety and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) the World Bank, the ADB and the European Union that led to Trump being impeached for the Taliban said on Friday. The agreement could represent a chance for peace after 18 security depend,” White House press and the Hizbul Mujahideen, abuse of power and obstruction of years of war and a US troop presence that dates back to 2001, as well as boosting US secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a which are responsible for a Congress, according to The New York President Donald Trump’s hopes of pulling US forces out of Afghanistan. However, statement Thursday. series of attacks in India. Times. Maguire had been a favorite to be past attempts at negotiating peace agreements have been scuttled by Taliban Grenell said on Twitter he would not The FATF said Pakistan Watchdog places Iran on nominated for the permanent DNI post attacks on international forces. The reduced violence period, to be observed by serve permanently and that Trump has to swiftly complete its but Trump soured on the official, The Afghan, international and Taliban forces, will begin at midnight (1930 GMT), an would “soon” select someone else. full action plan by June, the Washington Post said, when he heard Afghan official and Taliban leaders said. REUTERS Trump has declined to hire a per- source said. With Pakistan’s terror financing blacklist about the classified election security manent replacement for Dan Coats, continuation in the Grey List, A global dirty money watchdog divided over complying briefing. The president berated Maguire who stepped down as DNI in August it will be difficult for the on Friday placed Iran on its with the FATF. Supporters in an Oval Office showdown last week win the 2020 election, withholding mil- that he was “again jeopardising our after standing firm on the intelligence country to get financial aid blacklist after the country failed say it could ease foreign trade for the “disloyalty” of his staff, the Post itary aid considered vital to the former efforts to stop foreign meddling.” US community’s conclusion that Russia from the IMF, the World to comply with international with Europe and Asia when reported, effectively thwarting his Soviet republic in its war with Russia. intelligence concluded that Russia inter- interfered in 2016 to back Trump over Bank, the ADB and the anti-terrorism financing the country’s economy is chances of becoming a permanent hire. Democratic congressman Bennie fered in the 2016 election, especially Hillary Clinton. Grenell has cast doubt European Union, thus fur- norms. The decision comes targeted by US penalties Trump announced on Wednesday Thompson said that by firing Maguire through manipulation of social media, on the extent of Russia’s efforts, saying ther enhancing problems for after more than three years of aimed at its isolation. he was replacing Maguire with Richard over the briefing “the president is not to support Trump. that Moscow’s activities were nothing the nation which is in a pre- warnings from the Paris-based Hardline opponents argue Grenell, 53, the ambassador to Germany only refusing to defend against foreign The real estate tycoon-turned-presi- new. Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat carious financial situation. Financial Action Task that passing legislation and a Trump loyalist. interference, he’s inviting it.” Schiff dent has however repeatedly called it a on the intelligence committee, accused If Pakistan fails to comply Force (FATF) urging toward joining the FATF The president was impeached in tweeted late Thursday that if Trump was “Russia hoax” and has instead promot- Trump of prioritising “unquestioning with the FATF directive, there Tehran to enact could hamper Iran’s December over accusations that he tried interfering in the sharing of intelligence ed a debunked conspiracy theory that obedience over the safety of the is every possibility that the terrorist financing support for its allies, to coerce ally Ukraine into helping him information with Congress, it appeared Ukraine intervened instead. American people.” global body may put the coun- conventions. including Lebanon’s try in the Black List along with However, the FATF Hezbollah. North Korea and Iran. appeared to leave the Iran’s action plan to India has been maintain- door ajar for Iran saying meet with the FATF ing that Pakistan extends reg- “countries should also be able requirements, implemented in Aramco set to gain ular support to terror groups to apply countermeasures 2016, expired in January 2018. US lawmakers to introduce like the LeT, the JeM and the independently of any call by Foreign Minister Hizbul Mujahideen, whose the FATF to do so.” Mohammad Javad Zarif unconditional EU prime target is India, and has US sanctions have crippled this week appeared resigned bill that threatens encryption urged the FATF to take action Iran’s economy, slashing its oil to the FATF blacklisting, REUTERS them from liability involving have complained that such against Islamabad. exports and increasingly accusing the US using its nod for SABIC deal Washington, 21 February content posted by users. encryption hinders their Pakistan is believed to isolating it from the maximum pressure campaign REUTERS largest petrochemicals The bill threatens this key investigations. have received strong backing international financial system. to exert influence at Brussels, 21 February group, has operations in over US legislation will be intro- immunity unless companies Online platforms are from Malaysia but failed Iran’s leaders have been the FATF. AGENCIES 50 countries. The European duced in the coming weeks that comply with a set of “best prac- exempted from letting law to impress western nations World No. 1 oil producer Saudi Commission, which is could hurt technology compa- tices,” which will be determined enforcement access their due to India’s consistent Aramco is set to gain uncon- scheduled to decide on the nies’ ability to offer end-to-end by a 15-member commission encrypted networks. The pro- efforts by providing materials LeT, to 11 years in two terror rorists in Pakistan, of which ditional EU antitrust approval case by February 27, declined encryption, two sources with led by the Attorney General. posed legislation provides a and evidence on Pakistan’s financing cases. “seven are dead”. Out of the for its $69 billion buy of a 70 to comment. knowledge of the matter said, The move is the latest workaround to bypass that, the inaction to check funding The Pakistani court’s nine who are alive, seven had per cent stake in Competition and it aims to curb the distribu- example of how regulators and sources said. to terror groups operating judgment came ostensibly to applied to the UN for exemp- petrochemicals watchdogs in India tion of child sexual abuse mate- lawmakers in Washington are Titled “The Eliminating from its soil.