TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT

UNCLAS COLOMBO 001839 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CE EFIN ETTC KVPR MV PREL PTER SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE COORDINATION OFFICER (TFCO) AT POST REF: SECSTATE 238760 ¶1. Per request reftel, the following are Post's Terrorism Finance Coordination Officers: James F. Entwistle, Deputy Chief of Mission, office no.: 94-11-244-8007 ext. 2433, home no.: 94-11-269-5495, cell no.: 94-77-770-9571, fax no.: 94-11- 243-7237, email: EntwistleJF@state.gov Dean R. Thompson, Chief of Economic and Commercial Affairs, office no.: 94-11-244-8007, home no.: 94-11-269-6205, cell no.: 94-77-770-9584, fax no.: 94-11-247-1092, email: ThompsonDR@state.gov ¶2. The following comments are keyed to questions in reftel paragraph 5: (b) Terrorist finance issues are coordinated by the DCM through two rotating meetings on Economic Development matters and Law Enforcement/Intelligence matters. Terrorist finance issues, if necessary, would be referred to the Visas Viper Committee. (c) Post is currently considering the case of LTTE fundraising and is likely to request that Department of Treasury review LTTE fundraising activities. SEPTEL will follow on this subject. Post is also actively pursuing anti-money laundering training and the establishment of Financial Intelligence Units in both Sri Lanka and Maldives. (d) A TFCO video conference might be a useful way to share ideas and discuss problems. Further, it could include participation by more Washington-based experts. (e) Terrorist finance related public diplomacy should be aimed both at domestic US, as well as foreign, audiences. Making US groups aware of how these "charitable" donations are really used could be helpful in slowing the flow of funds. Internationally, efforts to explain how greater scrutiny and transparency in the banking sector can actually enhance financial services and bolster confidence in banking and financial institutes should be considered. The Ambassador intends to press this point during media interviews on issues of US concerns. (f) No training of TFCO staff at Post. (g) Post has not yet had many interactions with USG agencies on terrorist finance cases. Nonetheless, prompt responses to inquiries and access to web-based materials for background, information and best practices would be helpful. LUNSTEAD