EMBASSY CONGRATULATES GOB FOR FATF DECISION TO

UNCLAS MANAMA 001118 SIPDIS TREASURY FOR JZARATE/DGLASER AND OFAC: RNEWCOMB DEPT FOR: EB/ESC/TFS: GGLASS, NEA/ARP: PHEFFERNAN, AND INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ECON BA SUBJECT: EMBASSY CONGRATULATES GOB FOR FATF DECISION TO LOCATE MENAFATF IN BAHRAIN On July 12, 2004 Pol/Econ Chief and OFAC Attach congratulated Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance and National Economy for Bahrain, for the FATF,S decision to accept Bahrain,s bid to host the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF) a new FATF style regional body. Sheikh Ebrahim indicated that the Minister is considering inviting Treasury Secretary John Snow and other Treasury officials to attend the inaugural meeting of MENAFATF scheduled for the second half of November. WILLIAMSON