Kerry asked Bush to declare Syria and Lebanon 2 states accused of money laundering dedicated to “terrorism”

WASHINGTON, May 8 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – U.S. senator John Kerry urged Wednesday, May 7, U.S. President George W. Bush to take “strict measures” to stop the flow of money used in financing the so-called “international terrorist organizations”.

The George W. Bush administration must move aggressively to stop the flow of laundered funds used to finance “international terrorist activities”, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

The senator asked Bush to declare Syria and Lebanon two states accused of money laundering dedicated to terrorism.

The Senator did not provide any evidence to his accusations against Syria, that has been recently subject to a fierce U.S. campaign.

This came following news regarding a report received by the U.S. administration to the effect that around a billion dollar have been transferred from Iraq to Syria.

AFP quoted presidential hopeful senator John Kerry as saying in a message to Bush “There is war against terrorism without declaring another war against money laundering”.

Kerry also called on the White House to require that U.S. financial institutions closely scrutinize financial transactions involving banking and other financial institutions in Syria and Lebanon."

"Syria and Lebanon have for years funded terrorists and provided a safe haven for terrorists' blood money," the Massachusetts Democrat wrote.

"It's time the United States called them on the carpet and shut down the illegal networks that empower murderers to inflict terror around the globe.

"I strongly believe these actions will help curb the funding of international terrorism and could assist in the return of funds stolen from the Iraqi people."

Kerry’s demand comes within a U.S. campaign to threaten Syria, following the downfall of the Iraqi regime. Washington urges Damascus to stop supporting Hezbullah, retreat from Lebanon and stop the activities of Palestinian resistance organizations in Damascus.

Kerry's letter to the White House was circulated as the issue of terrorism has emerged as one of the most hotly-contested talking points among several Democrats who hope to challenge U.S. President George W. Bush in the 2004 election.

"It was Osama bin Laden's vast resources that allowed him and Al-Qaeda to pay the living expenses of sleeper terrorists for years on end and move them around the world.”

This global terrorist network has a financial ledger that more closely mirrors that of a Fortune 500 multinational corporation than that of a isolated fanatic," Kerry wrote.

"The United States must lead an aggressive effort at home and around the world to eliminate the ways in which dirty money flows through the banking system to finance new criminal enterprises."

U.S. secretary of state Collin Powell warned Syria Sunday, May 4, that it would be exposed to sanctions in case of “ill-intent” towards the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Powell also asked Syria to close its borders with Iraq.