by Ganesh Sahathevan
On November 21 2003 , the Australian Government , pursuant to the provisions of UN Resolution 1373 designated Interpal, a charity based in the UK a specially designated global terrorist.
(http://www.dfat.gov.au/icat/regulation8_consolidated.xls)
The US Government designated Interpal pursuant to UN Resolution 1373 and Executive Order 13224 on 22 August 2003.
The reasons for the designation were explained in the accompanying US Treasury Press Release:
Interpal, headquartered in the UK, has been a principal charity utilized to hide the flow of money to HAMAS. Reporting indicates it is the conduit through which money flows to HAMAS from other charities, e.g., the Al Aqsa Foundation, and that it oversees the activities of other charities. For example, the Sanabil Association for Relief and Development represents Interpal in Lebanon. Reporting also indicates that Interpal is the fundraising coordinator of HAMAS, a coordination point for other HAMAS-affiliated charities. This role is of the type that includes supervising activities of charities, developing new charities in targeted areas, instructing how funds should be transferred from one charity to another, and even determining public relations policy.
AKAs: Relief and Development Fund For Palestine
Welfare and Development Fund of Palestine
Palestinian Aid and Support Fund
(For Additional Information: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js672.htm)
On June 4 2008, Muslim Aid Pakistan announced on its website:
Working in partnership with Interpal, Muslim Aid and Muslim Aid Australia is asking you to make a difference to the lives of those isolated from the world by the conflict. We urgently need help in raising £5 million for the people of Palestine- for food, fuel and medical supplies. One million pounds has already been raised thanks to our emergency relief partners Global Medic and Interpal. Despite the difficulties, we pledge to get supplies to those most in need through local partners.
(http://ramadan.muslimaid.org/news.asp?NewsArticleID=74&Refresh=16%2F06%2F2008+02%3A48%3A00)
Muslim Aid Australia has an appeal with similar wording on its website, but without any reference to Interpal.
However, the poster accompanying the appeal clearly shows the Muslim Aid UK, Muslim Aid Australia and Interpal logos.
( See right at link http://www.muslimaid.org.au/Article.aspx?Id=61)
Previous articles on Muslim Aid Australia can be sighted at http://www.terrorfinance.org/the_terror_finance_blog/2007/04/iraq_human_shie.html
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