THE GAMBIA: TERRORIST FINANCE:USG CONCERN OVER

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANJUL 000076

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DAKAR PLS PASS RAO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: TERRORIST FINANCE:USG CONCERN OVER
ILLICIT CASH COURIERS

REF: STATE 16120

Classified By: AMBASSADOR JOSEPH STAFFORD, REASON 1.4 (D AND G)


1. (SBU) Ambassador made reftel demarche to Foreign Affairs
Permanent Secretary William Joof, emphasizing need for
redoubled efforts by the international community to prevent
illicit cash smuggling used to finance terrorism and other
illegal activity. Providing non-paper, Ambassador urged the
GOTG, as a valued partner in the Global War on Terrorism, to
do its part to combat illicit cash courier activity. Asked
about the GOTG's current efforts against such activity, Joof
undertook to consult with knowledgeable Gambian officials in
order to respond.


2. (C) COMMENT: We plan to make follow-up demarches on this
dossier to other GOTG officials. There have been no programs
of bilateral cooperation (e.g., joint operations) on this
specific counterterrorism issue, but given the Gambians'
limited expertise, we believe that they would welcome
capacity-building assistance, in particular. At this point,
we do not have a clear sense as to the extent of illicit cash
smuggling in this country; however, Hizballah supporters in
the local Lebanese-origin community may well be involved in
such activity. END COMMENT.
STAFFORD