This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 001634
SIPDIS
EB/ESC/TFS (EGOFF)
S/CT (TKUSHNER)
EUR/UBI
IO/PHO (PEREZ)
NSC (MRUPPERT)
TREASURY (JZARATE)
OFAC DIRECTOR (RWERNER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/27/2014
TAGS: KTFN ETTC EFIN CVIS PREL PTER LVPR
SUBJECT: TERRORIST FINANCE: IARA INFORMATION REQUEST
REF: A. STATE 229377
B. STATE 230265
Classified By: POL/ECON Counsellor Mary Daly,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Emboff raised points in reftels with contacts in the
Justice Ministry and Department of Foreign Affairs. Both
ministries greatly appreciated the information in Ref B.
Regarding Ref A, both ministries confirmed that there are no
legal grounds under which they can prevent Buisir's travel at
this time, nor can they limit the amount of money he could
carry with him, should he decide to travel. They did
confirm, however, that he is under "close observation". He
is living openly and still receives welfare payments from the
State. According to DoJ, should designation move to the
level of UNSCR 1267 or 1373, Ireland will automatically
freeze assets of Buisir, including stopping his welfare
payments. The same would happen if the EU Clearinghouse were
to designate Buisir. We are asking the ministries to clarify
under what conditions they could limit his travel. (Buisir
is an Irish citizen.) Both DFA and DOJ contacts added that
they were pleasantly surprised at the lack of public
attention on this case. Since the initial designation, the
press has published only two articles, both of which were
accurate and fair. In the past, Buisir has pled his case to
the press to garner public sympathy. For reasons unknown,
this time, he has not.
3. (C) Contacts also shared information on current and
prospective laws. The current penalty for financing terrorism
is a maximum fine of 3000 euros. The Criminal Justice and
Terrorist Offences Bill of 2002 will be debated the first
week of November. The DFA expects it to pass as an Act. If
so, the penalty for terrorism financing will become a fine of
10 million euros and 20 years in prison. The Minister of
Justice will also have authority to place assets into High
Court following a Gardai investigation. One of the reasons
for the delay of this Bill is that Ireland has very strong
private property laws, which will cause some debate when the
Bill is tabled. When the Bill becomes Act, as expected,
Ireland will have more recourse to act bilaterally, in cases
such as Buisir, and not have to wait through UN 1267 or 1373
clearinghouse processes. GOI officials expect the Bill to
pass, because authorities want more legislative power to
fight terrorism financing. In the meantime, they are likely
to support and welcome designation of Buisir, and IARA onto
either 1373 or 1267 lists.
BENTON