TERRORISM FINANCE: EU PRESSES FOR US RESPONSE ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000996 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS EUR/ERA FOR PETER CHASE, S/CT FOR R RANGASWAMY TREASURY FOR JUSTIN SERAFINI E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017 TAGS: KTFN PTER EUN SUBJECT: TERRORISM FINANCE: EU PRESSES FOR US RESPONSE ON STATEMENTS OF REASON REF: A. BRUSSELS 362 ¶B. BRUSSELS 393 ¶C. BRUSSELS 781 ¶D. WALKER-UNDERWOOD MARCH 12 EMAIL Classified By: EMIN JOHN SAMMIS FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C/NF) This is an action request. USEU requests that Washington agencies respond as soon and as fully as possible, but not later than March 29, to the EU request on draft statements of reason for terrorism finance designations as requested in ref C. The EU Council Secretariat called USEU on March 26 to ask for status report on the EU request and urged the US to respond this week. Following the December 12 ruling of the Court of First Instance, the EU has drafted statements of reason for all the groups and individuals that they have designated pursuant to UNSCR 1373. As the court ruling requires the EU to provide an updated statement of reason at least every six months, the EU has requested any additional information that the USG can provide on more recent attacks by the Al Aqsa Martyr,s Brigade (AAMB). The EU designation of AAMB was made solely on the basis of information provided by the USG. The EU would also like USG-cleared language for referencing US designations in their statements. ¶2. (C/NF) Comment. It is clearly in our interest to assist the EU in drafting statements of reason that will withstand future legal challenge. If we do not provide the information, the EU may decide to delist AAMB which would have serious negative implications for our dialogue with the EU on terrorism finance issues. End comment. McKinley .