Bush Takes Aim at Terrorists' Money
Sept. 24 -- The U.S. fight against terrorism moved ahead on several fronts today, the most significant in the form of an executive order that froze the assets of 27 people and organizations suspected of financing terrorism.
The order also threatened to freeze the U.S. assets of any government that does not cooperate in the cause to lock up all assets linked to terrorists.
In addition, Attorney General John Ashcroft lobbied for more measures to fight terrorism, and the Air Line Pilots Association urged Congress to pass legislation allowing pilots to carry firearms incockpits.
Ashcroft asked for wiretap and surveillance capabilities and expanded powers to detain suspected terrorists. He said 352 people have now been arrested or detained, and another 392 people are being sought for questioning.
Meanwhile, Osama bin Laden — the main target of the financial order — reportedly released his own call to action, calling on Muslims to join a holy war against "the American crusade," and his hosts mobilized their forces and shut down virtually all humanitarian actions in their war-ravaged Afghanistan.
Financial Front Broadened
In a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden today, President Bush said he had launched a "strike on the financial foundation" of terrorists.
Previously, only direct assets of alleged terrorists have been frozen. Under the new order, assets of supporters of terrorists may also be frozen. The United States will also freeze the assets of charities that are believed to have ties to terrorists. So far three such charities have been specified by the order but Bush said more will be named and added to the list soon.
In addition, the United States will have the authority to freeze any assets of a U.S. bank or any government that refuses to cooperate. Bush admitted most terrorists' assets exist outside the United States. In order to investigate possible terrorist funding in other nations, Bush said his administration will work with the United Nations and with leaders from the European Union and G-7/G-8 group of nations to develop ways of tracking funding beyond U.S. borders. Some of those efforts may involve changing some banking laws in Europe, Bush said.
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