Treasury Targets Al Qaida-Affiliated Terror Group in Algeria

Washington, DC--The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four leaders of al Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a terrorist organization that has carried out numerous attacks in Algeria. On July 3, 2008, these four individuals were added to the United Nations Consolidated List of individuals and entities associated with Usama Bin Laden, al Qaida, and the Taliban.

"Algeria has shown remarkable courage in the face of horrifying terrorist attacks against its people," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). "The four terrorists that we have targeted today are among the most culpable for this violence, as leaders of al Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb. We are proud to support the efforts of Algeria and the world community to combat this deadly threat and we will continue to do so."

AQIM carried out three attacks east of Algiers in early June 2008, including a bombing near a train station that killed a French national. In February 2008, AQIM kidnapped two Austrian tourists in Tunisia and has issued demands to the Austrian government for their release. In April 2007, AQIM bombed both the Algerian prime minister's office and police facilities in Algiers. AQIM conducted dual bombings in December 2007 of two United Nations offices and the headquarters of Algeria's Constitutional Council.

AQIM, which was formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), merged with al Qaida in September 2006. GSPC was one of the sixteen entities originally named a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to E.O. 13224 on September 24, 2001. GSPC was added to the U.N. list on October 6, 2001. AQIM was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 on February 21, 2008 and was added to the U.N. list on April 26, 2007.

Identifier Information

SALAH GASMI

AKAs:            
Salah Abu Muhamad
Salah Abu Mohamed
Bounouadher

DOB:             
l3 April l97l
POB:              
Zeribet El Oued, Biskra, Algeria

Gasmi is the head of AQIM's information committee and is responsible for developing statements, circulating claims of responsibility for terrorist activities, and creating videos for AQIM.

As AQIM's representative to the media, Gasmi issued AQIM's claim of responsibility for its kidnapping of the Austrian hostages. Gasmi is one of the principal figures negotiating with the Austrian government for the release of the hostages. He represents AQIM leader Abdelmalek Droukdel's interests in the negotiations. Droukdel was added to the U.N. list on August 27, 2007 and was named an SDGT by the Treasury Department on December 4, 2007.

Gasmi also directs AQIM's internet communications with al Qaida senior leadership.

YAHIA DJOUADI

AKAs:            
Yahia Abu Amar
Abu Ala
Abou Alam

DOB:             
1 January 1967
POB:              
M'Hamid, Sidi Bel Abbas, Algeria

Djouadi is based in northern Mali and serves as the leader of AQIM in Africa's Sahara-Sahel region (also known as the AQIM South Zone). He is responsible for managing AQIM members in the South Zone and was actively recruiting Mauritanians as of early 2008.

Djouadi provided financial and operational support to a Moroccan AQIM-affiliated extremist who planned to establish an AQIM support base in North Africa.

Djouadi headed the AQIM military committee prior to his appointment as AQIM South Zone Emir.

AHMED DEGHDEGH

AKAs:            
Abd Al Illah
Abu Abdallah

DOB:             
17 January 1967
POB:              
Anser, Jijel, Algeria

Deghdegh is AQIM's finance chief.

Deghdegh has relayed AQIM messages in ongoing hostage negotiations; as AQIM's designated negotiator, Deghdegh communicated stipulations for the release of the hostages and issued ransom demands.

Deghdegh has acknowledged that AQIM has worked to undermine the interests of countries that support U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

ABID HAMMADOU

AKAs:            
Abid Hamadu
Abdelhamid Abu Zeid
Abdelhamid Abou Zeid
Youcef Adel
Abu Abdellah

DOB:             
12 December 1965
POB:              
Touggourt, Ouargla, Algeria

Hammadou is the deputy leader of AQIM's Tarek Ibn Zaid battalion and is based in northern Mali.

Hammadou was involved in kidnapping the Austrian tourists for AQIM in February 2008.

In 2003, Hammadou participated in the kidnapping of 32 foreign tourists in Algeria by the GSPC, AQIM's predecessor organization. Hammadou was appointed by regional AQIM leader al-Para to lead the Tarek Ibn Zaid battalion, which carried out the kidnapping (El Para, AKA Saifi Ammari, was named an SDGT on December 5, 2003). Hammadou and other members of the battalion received part of the ransom paid to liberate the tourists and allegedly used the funds to purchase weapons.

In June 2005, Hammadou led a unit of AQIM operatives in an attack on a Mauritanian military outpost that killed fifteen soldiers and wounded at least another fifteen.

Hammadou established a camp for AQIM recruits in northern Mali that included training in combat techniques, making and defusing bombs, and guerilla tactics.

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Treasury Targets Rami Makhluf’s Companies

Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today added Syriatel, Syria's largest mobile phone operator, and Ramak, a chain of Syrian duty free stores, to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. All property and interests in property of these entities are blocked as a result of the direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 50 percent by Rami Makhluf in each entity.

"Rami Makhluf uses his access to high-level Syrian Government insiders to enrich himself at the expense of the Syrian people," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). "We will continue to target Makhluf and his commercial empire as well as others who follow in his footsteps."

Makhluf was designated on February 21, 2008 pursuant to Executive Order 13460, which targets individuals and entities determined to have contributed to, or to have benefited from, the public corruption of senior officials of the Syrian regime.

Makhluf, a maternal cousin of Syrian president Bashar al-Asad, has exploited his relationships with Syrian regime members to amass his commercial empire. Makhluf has manipulated the Syrian judicial system and has used Syrian intelligence officials to intimidate business rivals.

Pursuant to E.O. 13460, any assets in Syriatel's or Ramak's names held in the United States or within the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked, and U.S. persons, therefore, are prohibited from engaging in business or transactions with Syriatel or Ramak.

President George W. Bush issued E.O. 13460 on February 13, 2008 to take additional measures to address the threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States posed by certain conduct of the Government of Syria.

This new authority builds on E.O. 13338, which was issued by President Bush in May 2004, by targeting activities that entrench and enrich the Syrian regime and its cohorts thereby enabling the regime to continue to engage in threatening behavior, including actions that undermine efforts to stabilize Iraq. Corruption by the regime also reinforces efforts that deny the people of

Syria political freedoms and economic prosperity, undercut peace and stability in the region, fund terrorism and violence, and undermine the sovereignty of Lebanon.

Identifying Information
RAMAK
AKAs:
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd
Ramak Duty Free Shops Ltd.
Ramak Duty Free Shops - Syria
Ramak Duty Free
Ramak Firm for Free Trade Zones
Addresses:
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Free Zone Area, Jamarek, PO Box 932,
Damascus, Syria
Ramak Duty Free Shops - Syria, Al Rawda Street, PO Box 932,
Damascus, Syria
Abu Ramana Street, Rawda, Damascus, Syria
Damascus Duty Free, Damascus International Airport, Damascus, Syria
Dara'a Duty Free, Naseeb Border Center, Dara'a, Syria
Aleppo Duty Free, Aleppo International Airport, Aleppo, Syria
Jdaideh Duty Free Complex, Jdaideh Yaboos, Damascus, Syria
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Bab el Hawa Border Center, Aleppo
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Lattakia Port, Lattakia
Ramak Duty Free Shop Ltd., Tartous Port, Tartous
Telephone:
+963 11 2139222
+963 11 2138990
+963 11 2114666
Email:
dam.d.free@net.sy
Website:
http://www.ramakdutyfree.net
SYRIATEL
AKAs:
Syriatel Mobile Telecom SA
Syriatel Mobile Telecom
Syriatel Mobile
SyriaTel Mobile Telecom
Address:
Doctors Syndicate Building, Al Jalaa Street, Abu Roumaneh Area,
PO Box 2900, Damascus, Syria

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Treasury Designates Iranian Proliferation Individuals, Entities

Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated four individuals and four entities for their ties to Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

"Iran's nuclear and missile firms hide behind an array of agents that transact business on their behalf," said Stuart Levey, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. "As long as Iran continues to engage in such deceptive practices, companies and banks must exercise extraordinary vigilance to avoid participating in illicit transactions."

The individuals designated today include Dawood Agha-Jani, Moshen Hojati, Mehrdada Akhlaghi Ketabachi, and Naser Maleki. The entities designated today include Shahid Sattari Industries, Seventh of Tir (a/k/a 7^th of Tir), Ammunition and Metallurgy Industries Group (AMIG), and Parchin Chemical Industries.

This action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13382, an authority aimed at freezing the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters, and at isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems. Designations under E.O. 13382 are implemented by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the State Department, and they generally prohibit transactions between the designees and U.S. persons, and freeze assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction.

The Annex to E.O. 13382, issued by President George W. Bush in June 2005, designated the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Iran's Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO), the Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG), and the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG) as entities of proliferation concern.

The AEOI, which reports directly to the Iranian President, is the main Iranian

organization for research and development activities in the field of nuclear technology, including Iran's centrifuge enrichment program; it also manages Iran's overall nuclear program. The AEOI is identified in the Annex to United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737 for its involvement in Iran's nuclear program.

Dawood Agha-Jani is being designated because he acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the AEOI. Agha-Jani was listed in UNSCR 1737 for his involvement in Iran's nuclear program, and identified as the head of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) at Natanz. Natanz, which is subordinate to the AEOI, is Iran's main uranium enrichment facility. The PFEP is a test facility that has the capacity to hold 1,000 centrifuges.

Moshen Hojati is being designated because he acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the AIO and the Fajr Industries Group. The AIO, a subsidiary of the Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, is the overall manager and coordinator of Iran's missile program. AIO oversees all of Iran's missile industries. Its subsidiaries, SBIG and SHIG, were both identified in the Annex to UNSCR 1737.

Hojati has been linked to the AIO since at least 2001, serving in various capacities. Hojati was listed in UNSCR 1747 for his involvement in Iran's ballistic missile program, and identified as the head of the Fajr Industries Group, an entity identified in the Annex to UNSCR1737 and designated by OFAC under E.O. 13382, on June 8, 2007, for being owned or controlled by the AIO.

Mehrdada Akhlaghi Ketabachi is being designated because be acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SBIG. As the head of SBIG, Ketabachi plays a key role in SBIG's day-to-day affairs. Ketabachi is also active in negotiating the procurement of equipment for SBIG.

Naser Maleki is being designated because he acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SHIG. Maleki has been identified in UNSCR 1747 as the head of SHIG and an Iranian Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) official who oversees work on the Shahab-3 ballistic missile program.

Also designated today is Shahid Sattari Industries, an entity which is owned or controlled by, and acts or purports to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SBIG. Shahid Sattari Industries is involved in the manufacturing and maintenance of ground support equipment for SBIG.

The other three entities designated today, Seventh of Tir (a/k/a 7th of Tir), Ammunition and Metallurgy Industries Group (AMIG), and Parchin Chemical Industries, are owned or controlled by, or act or purport to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO). The U.S. Department of State designated DIO under E.O. 13382 on March 28, 2007, for engaging or attempting to engage in activities or transactions that materially contributed to or pose a risk of materially contributing to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery. DIO also is identified in the Annex to UNSCR 1737.

AMIG was listed in UNSCR 1747 for its relationship with Seventh of Tir, which it controls. Seventh of Tir has been involved in a variety of international transactions related to weapons procurement. UNSCR 1737 described Seventh of Tir as a subordinate of DIO, widely recognized as being directly involved in Iran's nuclear program. Seventh of Tir has been connected to Iran's centrifuge development program.

Parchin Chemical Industries is an element of DIO's chemical industries group and is identified in the Annex to UNSCR 1747. As a subordinate of DIO, Parchin acts on behalf of DIO, importing and exporting chemical goods throughout the world. In April 2007, Parchin Chemical Industries was identified as the final recipient of sodium perchlorate monohydrate, a chemical precursor for solid propellant oxidizer, possibly to be used for ballistic missiles.

REPORTS

• Fact Sheet on Iranian Designations

Treasury Identifies New Aliases
of Al Rashid and Al-Akhtar Trusts
Pakistan-Based Trusts Previously Designated for Supporting al Qaida

Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today added to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) new aliases under which Al Rashid Trust and Al-Akhtar Trust International are operating in an apparent effort to circumvent sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations.

"We are very concerned about designated entities reconstituting themselves under new names in attempts to circumvent sanctions and continue funneling money to terrorist activities," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). "OFAC will continue to put the public on notice when we find that a designated entity is trying to operate under the cloak of a new alias."

Al Rashid Trust
AKA: Al Amin Welfare Trust
AKA: Al Amin Trust
AKA: Al Ameen Trust
AKA: Al-Ameen Trust
AKA: Al Madina Trust
AKA: Al-Madina Trust

Al Rashid Trust was designated on September 23, 2001, in the Annex to Executive Order 13224 and was added to the UN 1267 Committee's List of individuals and entities associated with Usama bin Laden, al Qaida or the Taliban on April 24, 2002. As of mid- 2007, Al Rashid Trust was operating under the name Al Amin Welfare Trust and the other AKAs listed above.

A1-Akhtar Trust International
AKA: Pakistan Relief Foundation
AKA: Pakistani Relief Foundation
AKA: Azmat-e-Pakistan Trust
AKA: Azmat Pakistan Trust

Al-Akhtar Trust International was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 on October 14, 2003, and was added to the UN 1267 Committee's List on August 17, 2005. As of July 2007, A1-Akhtar Trust International was using the alternate name Pakistan Relief Foundation and the other AKAs listed above. As of May 2007, Pakistan Relief Foundation had taken over all assets of Al-Akhtar Trust, and Al-Akhtar Trust's senior leaders had begun working on behalf of Pakistan Relief Foundation.

Al Rashid Trust, Al-Akhtar Trust International, and the AKAs named today are designated under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists, those owned or controlled by or acting for or on behalf of terrorists, and those providing financial, technological, or material support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Assets these designees hold under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions in property or interests in property blocked under the order.

For more information on the September 23, 2001 designation of Al Rashid Trust, please visit: http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/key-issues/protecting/charities_execorder_13224-a.shtml#trust.

For more information on the October 14, 2003 designation of Al-Akhtar Trust International, please visit: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js899.htm.

Treasury Designates Al Haramain Islamic Foundation

Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated the Al Haramain Islamic Foundation (AHF) for having provided financial and material support to al Qaida, as well as a wide range of designated terrorists and terrorist organizations.

Today's action targets the entirety of the AHF organization, including its headquarters in Saudi Arabia. Evidence demonstrates that the AHF organization was involved in providing financial and logistical support to the al Qaida network and other terrorist organizations designated by the United States and the United Nations.

Between 2002-2004, the United States designated thirteen AHF branch offices operating in Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Comoros Islands, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Netherlands, Pakistan, Somalia, Tanzania, and the United States.

Several of these branch offices have also been designated by the United Nations 1267 Committee based on evidence of their support for al Qaida. The United States and United Nations also designated in 2004 the former leader of AHF, Aqeel Abdelaziz Al-Aqil.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the United States in designating several branch offices of AHF and, due to actions by Saudi authorities, AHF has largely been precluded from operating in its own name.

Despite these efforts, AHF leadership has attempted to reconstitute the operations of the organization, and parts of the organization have continued to operate.

Al Haramain Foundation was designated today under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing financial, technological, or material support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Assets held by any office of the AHF organization under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with AHF.

For more information on the actions taken against Al Haramain Foundation, please visit the following link: http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/key-issues/protecting/charities_execorder_13224-a.shtml#ahbranches.

Treasury Lifts Sanctions on Chinese Firm

Washington - The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today removed the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC), and its U.S. subsidiary, G.W. Aerospace, from the list of Specially Designated Nationals. CGWIC, a Chinese entity, was designated on June 13, 2006, pursuant to Executive Order 13382, for providing material support to Iran's missile program. G.W. Aerospace, which is located in Torrance, California, was designated for being owned or controlled by CGWIC.

"Removing China Great Wall Industry Corporation from our sanctions list marks a great success for our counter-proliferation sanctions program," said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. "A company that once supported Iran's missile program has implemented a rigorous and thorough compliance program to prevent future dealings with Iran."

OFAC has determined that CGWIC and its U.S. subsidiary no longer meet the criteria for designation pursuant to E.O. 13382.

E.O. 13382, signed by the President on June 28, 2005, authorizes the U.S. Treasury to freeze the assets of proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters and to isolate them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems. Designations under E.O. 13382 prohibit all transactions between the designees and any U.S. person, and freeze any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction.

Since the President issued E.O. 13382 and identified eight entities in the Annex to the Order, a total of 49 entities and 12 individuals have been designated as proliferators of WMD or for supporting WMD proliferators. Specifically, the Treasury Department has designated:

• 34 entities and 11 individuals tied to Iranian proliferation activity;
• Nine entities and one individual tied to North Korean proliferation activity;
• Three entities tied to Syrian proliferation activity.

Additionally, the State Department has designated three Iranian entities under E.O. 13382.

CHINA GREAT WALL INDUSTRY CORPORATION (a.k.a. CGWIC; a.k.a. ZHONGGUO CHANGCHENG GONGYE ZONGGONGSI), No. 30 Haidian Nanlu, Beijing, China; Moscow, Russia; and all other locations worldwide

G.W. AEROSPACE, INC. (a.k.a. GREAT WALL AEROSPACE, INC.), 21515 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 670, Torrance, CA 90503; California Corporate Number C1458237 (United States)