13 January 2004

Terrorist Designation Applied to Aliases of Kurdistan Group KADEK

Includes new names: Kurdistan People's Congress (KHK), People's Congress of Kurdistan, acronym KONGRA-GEL

The United States has amended the terrorist designations of the Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress (KADEK and other aliases) to include its new names: Kurdistan People's Congress (KHK), People's Congress of Kurdistan, and the acronym KONGRA-GEL, the State Department announced January 13.

The amendment "preserves the U.S. Government's ability to take action against this organization under its new names," making it illegal for persons in the United States or subject to U.S. jurisdiction to provide material support to this terrorist group, requiring U.S. financial institutions to block assets held by the group, and enabling the State Department to deny visas to the group's representatives.

Following is the announcement:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C.
Office of the Spokesman
January 13, 2004

Statement by J. Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

AMENDMENT OF TERRORIST DESIGNATIONS OF THE KURDISTAN FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY CONGRESS (KADEK)

Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage has amended the designations of the Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress (KADEK and other aliases) to include its new names: Kurdistan People's Congress (KHK), People's Congress of Kurdistan, and the acronym KONGRA-GEL. This amendment, published today, January 13, 2004 in the Federal Register, applies to the designations of this organization as a foreign terrorist organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act and under Executive Order 13224. Deputy Secretary Armitage made this decision in consultation with the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury, and in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security in connection with the amendment of the designation under Executive Order 13224. KADEK, now commonly known as KONGRA-GEL, has continued to engage in terrorist activity since announcing its name change on November 11, 2003.

The amendment of the foreign terrorist organization designation preserves the U.S. Government's ability to take action against this organization under its new names in accordance with the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. This act makes it illegal for persons in the United States or subject to U.S. jurisdiction to provide material support to this terrorist group. It requires U.S. financial institutions to block assets held by them; and it enables us to deny visas to representatives of this group. The designation under Executive Order 13224 blocks property and prohibits the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of this group.

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