TERRORISM FINANCE: INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC RELIEF

S E C R E T STATE 099426


E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2016
TAGS: EFIN ETTC ID KTFN PREL PTER RP SA
SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC RELIEF
ORGANIZATION (IIRO)

REF: A. STATE 83988 B. RIYADH 04230

Classified By: NEA DAS Gordon Gray for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs six
and seven.


2. (S) During Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend,
s June 20 visit to Saudi Arabia, Townsend will reinforce
the need for SAG actions to properly oversee the
activities of charitable and non-profit organizations
based in the KSA, regardless of whether those
organizations act locally or internationally.


3. (S/NF) During her visit, Townsend will convey the
intention of the USG to designate the Philippines and
Indonesia branches of the International Islamic Relief
Organization (IIRO) as well as Abdul Al-Hamid Al-Mujil, a
Saudi national resident in the KSA and the Executive
Director of IIRO-Eastern Province Branch (EP). The
Interagency has targeted June 20 as a pre-notification
date for the UN designation of those branches and
individual. (Separate pre-notification cable to all posts
to follow.) Domestic designation under E.O. 13224 and
formal nomination to the UN 1267 Committee will follow two
weeks later on or about July 5. Townsend will request SAG
co-sponsorship of the designations.


4. (S/NF) In addition, Townsend will seek concrete Saudi
cooperation by July 18 in addressing USG concerns about
IIRO-EP, including law enforcement action, shutting down
the branch, or co-sponsorship for the UN listing, emphasizing
the importance of cooperation, but stressing the need for
unilateral U.S. action if concrete Saudi cooperation does
not result in definitive action against IIRO-EP by July

18.


5. (S/NF) Treasury Undersecretary Stuart Levey met with
Saudi Ambassador Turki in Washington on June 15 and
delivered the points in paragraphs three and four that
Townsend will also make on her June 20 visit.


6. (S/NF) Action Request: Drawing on the talking points
below, post is requested to inform appropriate SAG
officials of our intent to designate the Philippines and
Indonesia branches of IIRO as well as Al-Mujil, and seek
SAG support to include co-sponsorship of these
designations. Post should also request that the SAG take
specific action against IIRO-EP as outlined in paragraph 4 by
July 18, absent which the USG will move to designate
IIRO-EP.


7. (S/Rel SAG) Begin points:

-- The United States appreciates Saudi cooperation
on terrorist financing issues and we seek ways to further
enhance that cooperation. The United States and Saudi
Arabia have jointly designated over a dozen Saudi-related
entities and multiple individuals.

-- The United States understands that some of IIRO,s
activities are legitimate and provide much needed relief.
However, the United States is also aware of IIRO,s
significant illegitimate and illegal activities that fund
terrorist activity. We have been concerned about IIRO for
many years now and have shared our concerns and
information with the Government of Saudi Arabia
on a regular basis. We would like Saudi Arabia to cosponsor
with us the designation of the Philippines and Indonesia
branches of IIRO, as well as Abd Al-Hamid Al-Mujil. We
intend to forward these designations to the UN 1267
Committee on or about July 5.

-- The SAG is responsible for the actions of charitable and
non-profit organizations based in Saudi Arabia, regardless
of whether those organizations act locally or
internationally. Because IIRO is headquartered in Saudi
Arabia, we believe your government has a responsibility to
ensure that its overseas activities are properly
regulated. Indeed, IIRO,s actions abroad, whether
positive or negative, reflect on the Kingdom. For these
reasons, it is critical that you ensure the IIRO branches
are not misused by individuals funding terrorism.

-- We request that the Saudi government take specific action
against the IIRO-EP branch on or before July 18. Specific
action may entail: (1) law enforcement action against
IIRO-EP branch, (2) concrete action to shut down the
IIRO-EP branch, or (3) agree to jointly refer with the
United States IIRO-EP branch to the UN 1267 Committee.

-- It would send a strong message about Saudi Arabia,
s resolve to combat terrorist support networks for the
Saudi government to take public action against an
institution or individual that funds terror.

-- We would also urge you to approach the Government
of Qatar and seek Qatari support in the 1267 Committee for
all the above designations. Your leadership on this issue
is vital.


RICE