§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his United States counterpart regarding the United States decision to freeze the assets of the Somali-owned money-transferring company, A1 Barakat. [15776]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Foreign Secretary has not discussed with Colin Powell the decision, taken by the Treasuries of the UK, the US and many other UN member states, to freeze the assets of A1 Barakat under the terms of UNSCR 1333. Before being made effective or public, the freeze was discussed by Foreign Office and Treasury officials with their US opposite numbers. British Officials approved the freeze and implemented it simultaneously with the US.
Al Barakat is a vital part of the Al Qa'ida's financial network. Usama Bin Laden provided Barakat's start-up finance. Al Barakat wittingly provides foreign exchange, banking and international transfer services for Al Qa'ida and Somali organisations affiliated with Al Qa'ida.