ENGAGING THE G7 PLUS LIECHTENSTEIN ON NASREDDIN

S E C R E T STATE 139684 SIPDIS SIPDIS REL TO UK ITALY JAPAN CANADA GERMANY FRANCE. LIECHTENSTEIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/02/2017 TAGS: EFIN KTFN LS PREL PTER USUN SUBJECT: ENGAGING THE G7 PLUS LIECHTENSTEIN ON NASREDDIN 1267 DE-LISTING REQUEST REF: STATE 094092 Classified By: IO PDAS JAMES B. WARLICK FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Per reftel, Ahmed Idris Nasreddin (an Eritrean-born Italian citizen) applied on April 13 for de-listing for himself and 12 entities associated with him from UNSCR 1267 (al Qaida Taliban Sanctions). Nasreddin was listed jointly on April 22, 2002 by the G7 (US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK). The 12 entities associated with Nasreddin were listed jointly by the US and Italy. Nasreddin was closely linked to designated al Qaida/UBL financier Youseff Moustaffa Nada (an Egyptian-born Italian citizen), who was listed (proposed by the US) under UNSCR 1267 on November 9, 2001. Nada and Nasreddin, through commercial holdings, were thought to have operated an extensive financial network providing support for terrorist related activities. Nasreddin's corporate holdings and financial network provided direct support for Nada and Bank Al Taqwa, which were previously designated by the USG and under UNSCR 1267 on November 7 and 9, 2001, respectively. Nasreddin and Nada were both directors of Bank Al Taqwa and Akida Bank. Nada held a controlling interest in Bank Al Taqwa, Nasreddin in Akida Bank. Both banks were thought to be shell companies lacking a physical presence and sharing the same address in the Bahamas where they were licensed. For this reason the Bahamian government revoked the licenses of both banks. ¶3. (SBU) UN representatives from G7 countries plus Liechtenstein agreed in July to request additional time to review Nasreddin's de-listing petition, and to reconvene prior to the extension deadline (October 12) to consult on final positions to support/deny Nasreddin's petition. Nasreddin's de-listing petition is being reviewed by listing countries (G7),Kingdom of Morocco (country of residency) and relevant governments of incorporation of Nasreddin-linked entities, including Switzerland, Bahamas, Turkey, Liechtenstein, Italy, Morocco. With regard to the separate de-listing petition from Youseff Nada, the US in September 2007 informed the 1267 Committee of our opposition to Nada's de-listing request. -------------- OBJECTIVES AND ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶4. (S Rel to G-7 and Liechtenstein) USUN is requested to consult with representatives from G-7 countries plus Liechtenstein, as well as any other aforementioned government requesting consultations, regarding our views on the Nasreddin de-listing petition. Other action addressees should consult with host government officials on this issue. All action addressees may draw upon the following points: Welcome the opportunity to consult with interested governments. Explain that although we have not yet come to a final determination, based on a thorough review of all of the information available to us, including submissions by Mr. Nasreddin, and contingent upon Nasreddin committing to sever any past ties to terrorist entities and to avoid all future dealings with them, we have tentatively determined that it would be appropriate to de-list him. Request any additional derogatory/exculpatory information other governments are using to guide their decisions. ¶5. (U) Action addressees should report results of these consultations no later than October 9. Questions may be directed to IO/PSC (Erin Crowe, 202-736-7847). RICE