Cablegate: Macau: 2009 Country Reports On Terrorism

VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHHK #2296 3510003
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 170003Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL HONG KONG
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9195
INFO RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS HONG KONG 002296

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE ALSO FOR S/CT RHONDA SHORE AND NCTC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER MC HK
SUBJECT: MACAU: 2009 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

REF: STATE 109980

Per reftel request, this is Consulate General Hong Kong's submission
on Macau for the 2009 Country Reports on Terrorism. Point of
contact is Jose Sandoval, Economic/Political Section, telephone:
852-2841-2126, e-mail address: sandovaljl@state.gov

Macau
-----

Macau is neither home to nor does it support terrorist groups.
However, Macau's position as a major international gambling center
makes it a potential site for money laundering and terrorist
financing activities.

Macau's financial regulatory authorities directed banks and other
financial institutions to continuously search for terrorist
financing networks and accounts using lists of individuals and
entities designated by the U.S. under relevant authorities, as well
as the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee's consolidated list of
individuals and entities associated with al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, and
Usama bin Ladin.

Macau is a member of the Asia/Pacific Group (APG) on Money
Laundering and completed a mutual evaluation of its Anti-Money
Laundering (AML) regime in 2007. In response to recommendations of
the APG evaluation, Macau authorities have taken steps to improve
compliance with suspicious transactions reporting (STR) requirements
in banks, casinos, and professional associations, but the threshold
reporting limits remain well above international norms. Macau does
not have reporting requirements for cross-border currency movements.

In May 2009, Macau joined the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence
Units through its Financial Intelligence Office (FIO), an
independent government unit under Macau's Secretary for Economy and
Finance. The FIO played an essential role in Macau's AML regime by
collecting and analyzing STRs, providing AML assistance to local
authorities, raising the public's AML awareness within Macau, and
sharing information with overseas counterparts.

In September 2009, the Macau Monetary Authority (acronym AMCM)
strengthened its AML guidelines for financial institutions, money
changers and remittance agents by mandating enhanced customer due
diligence measures and the compulsory employment of AMCM-approved
AML compliance officers.

Macau cooperated internationally in counterterrorism efforts through
INTERPOL and other security-focused organizations within the Asia
Pacific Region. Macau's law enforcement and customs agencies
participated in USG-sponsored training in bulk cash smuggling
detection, weapons of mass destruction proliferation awareness
workshops, and complex financial investigation techniques.

MARUT

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