The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, and the Attorney-General,
Daryl Williams, today announced that the Government had listed in
the Commonwealth Government Gazette on 17 April 2002 a further list
of terrorists and terrorist organisations whose assets must be frozen
under the Charter of the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures)
Regulations 2001. In addition, consistent with action taken
by the United Nations Security Council Committee on Afghanistan,
the Central Bank of Afghanistan has been removed from the previous
lists as it is no longer owned or controlled by the Taliban.
This action follows previous gazettals of terrorists and terrorist
groups that took place on 21 December 2001 and 20 March of this
year. The latest list includes organisations and individuals linked
to Al Qa'ida and the Taliban and a number of internationally recognised
foreign terrorist organisations.
It follows similar action taken by the United States and other
countries. Mr Downer and Mr Williams said that Australia was playing
its part in the global efforts to suppress the financing of terrorism.
The Regulations prohibit the dealing in funds or other assets or
making funds available to individuals and groups on the list. Anyone
holding assets of a listed individual or group is required to freeze
those assets.
The up to date lists gazetted by the Government can be found at
www.dfat.gov.au/icat.
Anyone who suspects they may hold assets of any person or entity
on the list should contact the Australian Federal Police's Operation
Drava (ph 02 6256 7777, email financialcoordinator@afp.gov.au.).
Media inquiries: Matt Francis (Mr Downer's office) 02 6277 7500
/ Carina Tan-Van Baren (Mr William's office) 02 6277 7300
