WikiLeaks: Terrorism finance laws - update number two

This is one of the diplomatic cables about New Zealand held by Wikileaks.

23 March, 2005 SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND: TERRORISM FINANCE - 2005 UPDATE NO. 2

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

(U) Classified by DCM David R. Burnett. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).

(U) Following is post's response to ref A, keyed to questions listed in ref A's Paragraph 10.

A. (U) No/no assets have been frozen, forfeited or seized in New Zealand pursuant to UNSC Resolutions 1267 and 1373.

B. (C) The New Zealand government, wanting to be seen as a mediating force and as a defender of small countries' interests in the region, generally is reluctant to co-sponsor initiatives just with the United States in multilateral forums. Cooperation with New Zealand also is hindered by the fact that it still is working to strengthen its anti-terrorism laws and provisions for designating terrorists that are not listed by the United Nations (ref B). The government has not yet made such designations.

C. (U) The New Zealand government is willing to accept USG training and technical assistance, including an assessment of training needs. In fact, post has attempted to identify appropriate training opportunities in Washington for New Zealand officials, but has not been successful (ref D); we have been told that New Zealand is not among countries considered priorities for such training. The New Zealand government is particularly seeking training in techniques in investigating terrorism finance and in tracking terrorist cells.

D. (S) We would rank New Zealand as "low" in terms of risk that it will be used as a site for significant fund raising or for significant banking services for terrorists. So far, New Zealand has identified no assets held in the country by terrorists designated through the UN 1267 Committee process. New Zealand has built its efforts against terrorism financing on a strong banking, financial reporting and enforcement regime that has been in place to combat money laundering. While the New Zealand government is investigating various individuals who may have connections to terrorist organizations such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan, Ansar Al-Island and al Qaida, those investigations have focused on determining the nature of any such relationships and have not uncovered any indication of criminal behavior (ref C). The Embassy also has no information indicating that a terrorist cell is operating in New Zealand.

Swindells

ENDS