The Yemeni authorities have frozen the assets of individuals and organizations suspected of links with terrorism, whose names appear on lists drawn up by the United States, a Yemeni official said Sunday October 14.
The official said on condition of anonymity that "the authorities have frozen the assets of certain individuals and organizations whose names feature on a list supplied recently by the American authorities, in the context of the efforts being undertaken by Yemen to fight terrorism."
He also said "the Yemeni authorities are also looking into the assets of individuals and businesses suspected of having ties with terrorists, with a view to freezing them if they find evidence of involvement in deals with terrorists or terrorist organizations, or directly involved in terrorism."
Their names are on lists of people, organizations, charities and companies suspected of links with terrorists supplied by Washington, whose financial assets in the United States were frozen after the September 11 attacks in the United States. Washington called on all governments to take similar steps and threatened to freeze US-based assets of foreign banks that refused to cooperate.
According to a police source, "the investigations have so far not thrown up any evidence of links between any of these individuals or companies and terrorism." A total of 66 people and organizations -- of which 39 names were published Friday -- are suspected of links with terrorism.
Among the names listed, there are Yemeni-based honey dealers, who appear to have links with the Al-Qaeda organization of Osama Bin Laden -- Al Nur Honey Press Shops, otherwise known as Al Nur Honey Center, and Al Shifa Honey Press for Industry and Commerce.
The New York Times, quoting US officials, said Thursday that Bin Laden has been operating a honey distribution network in the Middle East and Pakistan, which serves as a cover for arms and drug dealing. The paper said that Yemen, which produces some of the best honey in the Middle East, was the main distribution center for his operation. — (AFP, Sanaa)
© Agence France Presse 2001
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
