04 October 2001
Text: State Department on Alleged Bin Laden Accounts in Cyprus
(Taken Question: October 4 State Department statement) (290)
Following is the text of a question taken at the October 3 regular
State Department briefing; an answer was posted the next day:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
October 4, 2001
QUESTION TAKEN AT OCTOBER 3, 2001 DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
CYPRUS: OFF-SHORE BANK ACCOUNTS
Question: What can we say about how Cyprus is dealing with Usama bin
Laden's off-shore bank accounts?
Answer: We welcome the government of Cyprus' pledge to support fully
the international community in the battle against terrorism. We note
that Cypriot authorities have taken steps to tighten up implementation
of regulations aimed at identifying and stopping money laundering,
including efforts to strengthen its banking laws and regulations to
prepare for its bid to join the European Union.
There are press reports that bin Laden used Cyprus and a number of
countries for financial transactions. The government of Cyprus made it
clear that it will investigate any and all leads seriously and
urgently. This is an opportunity for Cyprus to take action that
underscores its commitment to work with the international community
against terrorism.
In 2000, Cyprus' anti-money laundering regime was the subject of an
intensive investigation by the 29 member state Financial Action Task
Force's (FATF) "non-cooperative country and territories" exercise. The
task force concluded that the Cypriot anti-money laundering regime met
all international standards.
The U.S. issues an annual report on efforts around the world to combat
money laundering. In this report, we noted the progress made by Cyprus
in improving its legal regime to combat money laundering. Our report
also notes that effective enforcement of such laws is essential.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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