Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DAKAR866
2008-07-28 07:48:00
SECRET
Embassy Dakar
Cable title:
SENEGAL/TERRORISM FINANCING LAW - MORE CONCERNS
how-toVZCZCXRO7396 RR RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHDK #0866 2100748 ZNY SSSS ZZH R 280748Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY DAKAR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0867 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RUEAHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC RUEHLMC/MCC WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHUNV/USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA 0038
S E C R E T DAKAR 000866
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/RSA, AF/EPS, AF/W
TREASURY FOR RHALL, DPETERS
USUN VIENNA FOR FINCIN
FBI FOR OIO
STATE PLEASE PASS MCC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2028
TAGS: PTER KTFN ECON PGOV PREL KCOR SG
SUBJECT: SENEGAL/TERRORISM FINANCING LAW - MORE CONCERNS
RAISED
REF: DAKAR 824
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. JAY T. SMITH, FOR REASON 1.4 (B)
AND (D).
S E C R E T DAKAR 000866
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/RSA, AF/EPS, AF/W
TREASURY FOR RHALL, DPETERS
USUN VIENNA FOR FINCIN
FBI FOR OIO
STATE PLEASE PASS MCC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2028
TAGS: PTER KTFN ECON PGOV PREL KCOR SG
SUBJECT: SENEGAL/TERRORISM FINANCING LAW - MORE CONCERNS
RAISED
REF: DAKAR 824
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. JAY T. SMITH, FOR REASON 1.4 (B)
AND (D).
1. (S) Summary: Despite professional and perhaps personal
risk, Senegal's Minister of Finance, via the IMF Resrep,
wants the USG to know that President Wade does not want to
move forward with required counter-terrorism financing
legislation. Wade is reportedly worried about the enhanced
investigative powers that would be granted to Senegal's
Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This information tracks
perfectly with the similar concern raised by the FIU in
reftel. End
Summary.
CONFIRMING WADE'S OPPOSITION TO CTF LEGISLATION
-------------- --
2. (S) During a meeting on July 17 with Econ Counselor, IMF
Resrep Alex Segura said he had a "confidential message" to
pass on from Senegal's Minister of Finance Abdoulaye Diop who
wanted the USG to know that President Wade did not want the
West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA)
uniform counter terrorism financing (CTF) directive to be
ratified in Senegal. According to Segura (strictly protect),
Diop (also strictly protect) said that when President Wade
and his advisors reviewed the draft legislation, they were
alarmed that it would grant robust investigative powers to
Senegal's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),the CENTIF, and
therefore could subject deals within the Presidency to
intense scrutiny. Minister Diop did not/not indicate that
President Wade or his inner-circle were afraid of CENTIF
investigations for terrorism-related reasons, rather, it was
out of concern for corruption and perhaps money laundering.
3. (S) Segura, again relating what Diop shared about Wade's
response to the draft legislation, said that President Wade
viewed the President of the CENTIF, Mr. Ngouda Fall Kane, as
"too independent," and "too determined" in his
investigations. Diop believes that President Wade
understands Senegal's UEMOA treaty obligations to ratify the
law, but that Wade will use "whatever stalling methods are
necessary" to avoid presenting the draft legislation to the
National Assembly.
4. (S) According to Segura, Minister Diop wanted the USG to
know about this situation, because "only the U.S." could
change President Wade's mind. Diop was apparently very
concerned about President Wade possibly finding out that he
had alerted the USG to this situation, and felt it was even a
risk should it be known that the Segura passed the message
because Wade and his advisors would then assume the
information originated with Diop.
COMMENT/RECOMMENDATION
--------------
5. (S) Minister Diop and Mr. Kane are sources of the highest
reliability, both of whom have taken professional and
personal risk to alert us to President Wade's reluctance to
fulfill his duty and enact CTF legislation. They do so out
of a genuine concern for the integrity of Senegal's public
finances and the need for an effective and independent FIU.
While needing to fully protect these sources, senior USG
officials can raise the issue of the UEMOA CFT directive
since (as outlined in Reftel) post has confirmed with the
regional central bank (BCEAO),that the directive has been
passed to member states and the BCEAO expects rapid
ratification, especially from Senegal, which has routinely
proclaimed itself the regional leader on financial integrity,
and a close U.S. ally in the war on terrorism.
Bernicat
SMITH
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/RSA, AF/EPS, AF/W
TREASURY FOR RHALL, DPETERS
USUN VIENNA FOR FINCIN
FBI FOR OIO
STATE PLEASE PASS MCC
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2028
TAGS: PTER KTFN ECON PGOV PREL KCOR SG
SUBJECT: SENEGAL/TERRORISM FINANCING LAW - MORE CONCERNS
RAISED
REF: DAKAR 824
Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, A.I. JAY T. SMITH, FOR REASON 1.4 (B)
AND (D).
1. (S) Summary: Despite professional and perhaps personal
risk, Senegal's Minister of Finance, via the IMF Resrep,
wants the USG to know that President Wade does not want to
move forward with required counter-terrorism financing
legislation. Wade is reportedly worried about the enhanced
investigative powers that would be granted to Senegal's
Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). This information tracks
perfectly with the similar concern raised by the FIU in
reftel. End
Summary.
CONFIRMING WADE'S OPPOSITION TO CTF LEGISLATION
-------------- --
2. (S) During a meeting on July 17 with Econ Counselor, IMF
Resrep Alex Segura said he had a "confidential message" to
pass on from Senegal's Minister of Finance Abdoulaye Diop who
wanted the USG to know that President Wade did not want the
West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA)
uniform counter terrorism financing (CTF) directive to be
ratified in Senegal. According to Segura (strictly protect),
Diop (also strictly protect) said that when President Wade
and his advisors reviewed the draft legislation, they were
alarmed that it would grant robust investigative powers to
Senegal's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),the CENTIF, and
therefore could subject deals within the Presidency to
intense scrutiny. Minister Diop did not/not indicate that
President Wade or his inner-circle were afraid of CENTIF
investigations for terrorism-related reasons, rather, it was
out of concern for corruption and perhaps money laundering.
3. (S) Segura, again relating what Diop shared about Wade's
response to the draft legislation, said that President Wade
viewed the President of the CENTIF, Mr. Ngouda Fall Kane, as
"too independent," and "too determined" in his
investigations. Diop believes that President Wade
understands Senegal's UEMOA treaty obligations to ratify the
law, but that Wade will use "whatever stalling methods are
necessary" to avoid presenting the draft legislation to the
National Assembly.
4. (S) According to Segura, Minister Diop wanted the USG to
know about this situation, because "only the U.S." could
change President Wade's mind. Diop was apparently very
concerned about President Wade possibly finding out that he
had alerted the USG to this situation, and felt it was even a
risk should it be known that the Segura passed the message
because Wade and his advisors would then assume the
information originated with Diop.
COMMENT/RECOMMENDATION
--------------
5. (S) Minister Diop and Mr. Kane are sources of the highest
reliability, both of whom have taken professional and
personal risk to alert us to President Wade's reluctance to
fulfill his duty and enact CTF legislation. They do so out
of a genuine concern for the integrity of Senegal's public
finances and the need for an effective and independent FIU.
While needing to fully protect these sources, senior USG
officials can raise the issue of the UEMOA CFT directive
since (as outlined in Reftel) post has confirmed with the
regional central bank (BCEAO),that the directive has been
passed to member states and the BCEAO expects rapid
ratification, especially from Senegal, which has routinely
proclaimed itself the regional leader on financial integrity,
and a close U.S. ally in the war on terrorism.
Bernicat
SMITH