DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 170925 SIPDIS SIPDIS REL TO UN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2017 TAGS: KTFN PTER UNSC XA XD PK SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE REGARDING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OF ISLAMIC AFRICAN RELIEF AGENCY (IARA) Classified By: IO A/S KRISTEN SILVERBERG FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 3. ¶2. (C/Rel UN) The Department of Justice (DOJ),in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney,s Office for the Western District of Missouri, is conducting a criminal investigation regarding the Islamic American Relief Agency (IARA) and its alleged funding of an orphanage in the Shamshatu refugee camp in Pakistan. In connection with the investigation, DOJ has requested the assistance of the Department and USUN in seeking the cooperation of the United Nations. Specifically, DOJ seeks the following from the UN: (1) an accounting of funds provided to the Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA) office in Peshawar, Pakistan from 2001 through 2005; any application submitted by IARA or ISRA to the UN for funds for refugees located in Pakistan; (2) any accounting provided to the UN Commission for Refugees pertaining to funds provided to ISRA or IARA and the Shamshatu refugee camp. Further, DOJ seeks to interview the UN Commissioner for Refugees, and his/her staff, in Pakistan from 2001-2004. DOJ has advised that there are no allegations that any personnel at the UN engaged in any criminal conduct, nor are any UN personnel the subject of the criminal investigation. ¶3. (C/Rel UN) DOJ has provided the Department with a letter of request for assistance in the above-mentioned investigation. Department has sent the letter, which is directed to the attention of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, to USUN (Carolyn Willson and Elizabeth Wilcox) via FedEX. (Tracking number will be provided separately). Department requests that USUN transmit the letter to the UN Office of Legal Affairs under cover of a diplomatic note and inform the Department of the UN,s response to this request. Department appreciates USUN,s assistance in this matter. RICE