This was reported yesterday by
Reuters:
The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday named the Philippine and Indonesian branches of the International Islamic Relief Organization as fund-raisers for al Qaeda and other terror groups.
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Reuters goes on to explain
snip...
The action means that no American can have any dealings with the two branches of the organization ...
snip...
...and that any assets they have in the United States will be frozen.
The source for Reuters was, as might be expected, a Treasury Department news release which contains considerably more information on the IIRO and its history.
Now that you are sufficiently bored, you may rightfully ask, "What does this have to do with the price of tea in China, or the Global War on Terror (GWOT)?" To that, I can only ask your indulgence, that you read a bit further.
According to this administration, we are in a new era, the era of the GWOT, a never-ending conflict that seeks to defeat terrorists and terrorism (an impossibility, but never mind that). Every resource of government is (supposedly) working in a synchronous manner, bringing expertise from all the diverse players to yield a whole that is more than the sum of its parts. That includes the Department of the Treasury.
But this, the Reuters article and the Treasury press release, illustrates quite well why this administration is inept, why it promotes the idea of the GWOT while executing it half-heartedly at best, how it is more concerned with positive (though meaningless) press coverage than it is with results that actually make a difference. To add substance to these assertions, let's look at some questions, shall we?
Why is this important?
In itself, this particular event is not likely very important at present, at least in terms of security against terrorist activities within the US. On another level, it is extremely important in that it shows the true commitment within government to the GWOT, the lack of emphasis in support of `work in the trenches' as opposed to a focus on high-visibility `adventures' that give the opportunity for `good' press coverage.
What is the problem with the Treasury press release? What does it mean?
The second part is easiest to answer. It means that the IIRO has been added to the Treasury list of SDN's (Specifically Designated Nationals). As such, financial transactions with it (and others on the list) are prohibited and prosecutable. The list itself is available here, though fair warning - it is a pdf file of 251 pages! It includes the identities of persons and organizations with whom financial dealings in any form are prohibited, but it is not limited to terrorist organizations and those who finance them. Persons and organizations involved in money laundering and/or the support of various criminal activities (related to drugs, people smuggling, other crimes, etc.) are on it, as well.
As for the first part, the problem has everything to do with timing.
What is the problem with the timing?
Basically, why is the IIRO being included just now? It is not as if its role in financial support of terrorist organizations and activities has just been discovered. In fact, such knowledge has been within the public domain for at least four years!
This article, a book review, that appeared in Asia Times was published on 12 Oct, 2002. It is a long review (by US standards) and addresses much of the `meat' of the book (Osama's Universe by Rohan Gunaratna ). (To save time, if you do not want to read the entire review, go to paragraph 14 - though the entire review is worth your while, I think.)
What is essential to understand is, the knowledge of the IIRO role in financing terrorist organizations and activities was well-known, documented, and even in the public domain in 2002 at the latest. And if it was in the public domain, that means it had long before been within the domain of the intelligence services, including equivalents of the Treasury Department, of other governments well before 2002. So, why the inordinate delay of including the IIRO on the list of SDN's?
What does this have to do with the GWOT?
Quite simply, if you are a believer in the concept of a GWOT, you are being and have been hoodwinked. This administration is far from serious in executing a meaningful assault on terrorism. It has diverted resources from where they could be used most effectively; it has given nothing more than lip service to the groundwork that should be the mainstay; it has sought out every opportunity to display its `tough macho' image, even to the point of a war of choice that is bleeding the treasury dry, that is creating hatred of the US where it did not exist before, that is the best recruiting tool of all for terrorist organizations. It seeks not results so much as it seeks great photo-ops and sound bytes and positive news media coverage - all translated to political advantage.
Isn't there anyone who cares?
Not to be obtuse, but the answer is both yes and no.
There are thousands of professionals, government employees and service members who care. But the overlay of politically appointed supervisors, department heads, cabinet secretaries and their multitude of assistants effectively suppresses the voices of those who see a job to be done and try to do it; in effect, no matter the higher motives of the career intelligence personnel, soldiers, and so on, their role is subjugated to the political interests and motives of those above them, the ones who `make the rules' and `establish policy' - all of them of a particular political caste, all of them placing politics and party above any other thing, including I suspect, what may be in the best interests of the security of the nation.
As far as this administration goes, the answer would be no, in general. It seems that interest extends only so far as those things that cast it in a good light and perhaps offer some political advantage (or donor advantage, take your pick).
So, what is the bottom line?
It is quite simple, really. The GWOT is purely a political construct. All previous administrations have worked, with varying degrees of effectiveness, to curb terrorism and the activities of terrorist organizations. This one has no special claim in that respect.
What this administration does have a special claim to is using the media, using `spin' and using its public megaphone to deceive everyone into believing that it is serious about countering terrorism. It is serious to be sure, but only to the extent of squandering resources so long as it proves politically advantageous. Could this chest-thumping announcement by the Treasury be interpreted in any other way?
As a side note, the administration is not alone, of course. The whole charade has been put in place with the complicity of the Congress. With no sign of a backbone at all (understandable, since they collectively think GWB will hasten the `rapture'!), the Congress has not acted as a separate branch of government; it has not fulfilled its Constitutional role as a check on the executive; it has acted, instead, as a cheerleader, an enabler, aiding and abetting at every turn.
This has been deliberately posted in the `wee hours'. So, for you insomniacs who may have read this far, you should now be well prepared for a rest:) All you need to know, Citizen, is that you are protected by our War President -- Commander CodPiece continues to ride the range! You can go back to sleep, now. Cheers:)