DATE=05/09/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09872

TITLE=EDITORIAL: U.S.-E-U FREEZE ASSETS

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: The United States and the European Union are taking joint action to freeze the assets of organizations and individuals supporting terrorism.

The E-U has issued a list of eighteen terrorist groups that includes Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, which launched a wave of terrorist attacks against tourist sites in Egypt. In 1997, fifty-eight tourists were killed in one such attack in Luxor.

Also on the list are one organization and seven individuals who have acted on behalf of the terrorist group known as E-T-A, or the self-described Basque Fatherland and Liberty. Established in 1959, E-T-A seeks the creation of an independent state made up of the Basque regions of Spain and France. The E-T-A has killed over eight-hundred people and carried out about one-thousand-six-hundred terrorist attacks since it was formed.

Askatasuna (ASKA-tasuna) is an E-T-A front. Its actions are controlled by the E-T-A. It provides funds to imprisoned E-T-A activists.

The seven individuals whose assets have been frozen also carried out activities on behalf of E-T-A. Arrest warrants in Spain on charges of terrorism have been issued for all of them. They include Ivan Apaolaza Sancho (ee-VAHN ah-POW-lazah SAHN-cho), Ismael Berasategui Escudero (iss-MAY-il Barah-sah-TEG-way es-COO-dair-oh), Lexuri Gallasteui Sodupe (lex-OO-ree guy-ah-STEW-ee sod-OOP-ay), Gorka Palacios Alday (GOR-kah pal-AHS-ios ALL-day), Asier Quintana Zorrozua (AHS-ee-air quin-TAH-no zorra-ZOO-ah), Juan Luis Rubenach Roig (RUB-oo -nock ro-EEG), and Manex Zubiaga Bravo (MAN-ex zoo-bee-AY-gah bravo).

The coordinated effort by the U.S. and the E-U is part of the financial war against terrorism. So far, the U.S. has blocked the assets of more than two-hundred groups and individuals linked to international terrorists. More than one-hundred countries have taken similar action. Over one-hundred million dollars has been frozen worldwide, thirty-four million dollars in the U.S.

As U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill said, "It is our hope that other governments and multilateral bodies will continue to take the lead in identifying terrorists and their supporters, so that together the civilized world can shut down their organizations and eradicate their sources of support."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.