Wednesday, December 15, 2010

U.S. Government Sponsors State-of-the-Art Training for Internal Security Forces Officers.

December 15, 2010. The United States Government continues training Internal Security Forces (ISF) personnel as part of an ongoing $116-million law enforcement assistance program. On December 15, a group of 281 cadets completed the U.S.-funded Basic Cadet Police Training Course and joined the ranks of the Internal Security Forces (ISF). Thaddeus Kontek, Director of the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Programs, joined ISF Academy Director General Ibrahim Basbous in congratulating the graduates.

The 281 graduating police cadets completed a ten-week, state-of-the-art training program taught by American and Lebanese instructors. The training focused on the latest policing and law enforcement skills and the application of these skills to specific law-enforcement situations.
A separate group of 37 Community Policing graduates were also trained in a specialized eight-week training course. The curriculum includes modern police practices, understanding democratic policing and human rights, criminal investigation procedures and other essential law enforcement skills.

Since 2007, the U.S. Government has supported the ISF with training and equipment that helps the ISF enforce the rule of law and protect the Lebanese people. The professional development of the ISF is critical for Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and security.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Secretary Clinton's Meeting with UN Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen.

Media Note
Washington, DC
December 11, 2010
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with UN Special Envoy for Resolution 1559 Terje Roed-Larsen on December 10 to discuss the current situation in Lebanon. The Secretary emphasized the United States’ commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Readout of Vice President Biden's Call to Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
For Immediate Release
December 10, 2010
The Vice President spoke by phone today with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri to discuss recent developments in Lebanon and the region. The Vice President reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, and stability, underscoring the commitment of the United States to supporting the development of strong and effective Lebanese state institutions.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Treasury Targets Hizballah Financial Network‏

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Dec 9 2010
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury targeted Hizballah’s financial network today by designating Hizballah fundraisers Ali Tajideen and Husayn Tajideen for providing support to Hizballah. Today’s designees are the brothers and business partners of Kassim Tajideen, an important financial contributor to Hizballah, who was designated by Treasury as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in May 2009 pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224. Today’s action also targeted a network of businesses that are owned or controlled by the Tajideen brothers operating in The Gambia, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, and the British Virgin Islands. Also designated today for providing support to Hizballah was Bilal Mohsen Wehbe, a Hizballah member who has served, at the request of Hizballah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, as Hizballah’s chief representative in South America. Today’s actions were taken pursuant to E.O.13224, which targets for sanctions terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism, isolating them from the U.S. financial and commercial systems.

Hizballah is among the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world. The Annex to Executive Order 12947 of January 23, 1995 listed Hizballah as a Specially Designated Terrorist (SDT). The Department of State designated Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) in 1997. Additionally, on October 31, 2001, Hizballah was designated as a SDGT under E.O. 13224. “Today’s designation targets two of Hizballah’s top financiers in Africa. Ali and Husayn Tajideen’s multinational network generates millions of dollars in funding and secures strategic geographical strongholds for Hizballah,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Stuart Levey.

Ali Tajideen is a former Hizballah commander in Hanouay, Tyre, Lebanon, and has provided cash to Hizballah, in tranches as large as $1 million. Ali Tajideen is a major player in Jihad Al Bina, a Lebanon-based construction company formed and operated by Hizballah, which was designated by the Treasury Department in February 2007 pursuant to E.O. 13224. Husayn Tajideen is a primary Hizballah fundraiser and prominent Hizballah supporter in The Gambia.

The following businesses in Ali Tajideen, Husayn Tajideen and Kassim Tajideen’s network were designated by Treasury today:

Tajco: Tajco is a multipurpose, multinational business venture involved in international trade as well as real estate and presided over by Ali, Husayn and Kassim Tajideen. As of February 2007, Kassim Tajideen owned Tajco and used proceeds from this business to provide millions of dollars in financial support to Hizballah. Husayn Tajideen, co-owner of Tajco Ltd in The Gambia, serves as the company’s managing director. Ali Tajideen and Kassim Tajideen were business partners and co-owners of Tajco Sarl, operating as Tajco Company LLC in Tyre, Lebanon, with Ali Tajideen serving as the managing partner.

Since at least December 2007, Ali Tajideen used Tajco Sarl, operating as Tajco Company LLC, as the primary entity to purchase and develop properties in Lebanon on behalf of Hizballah. Under the name of Tajco Company LLC, Ali Tajideen developed the properties, established mortgage loans and acquired mortgage-life insurance to cover the mortgage borrowers. Since at least March 2006, Husayn Tajideen owned 50 percent of Tajco Ltd, in Banjul, The Gambia and served as the managing director of the company.

Kairaba Supermarket: Kairaba Supermarket is a subsidiary business of Tajco Ltd, with both companies naming Husayn Tajideen as the same point of contact and manager and using the same primary business address.

Congo Futur: As of mid-2007, the Tajideen brothers were running cover companies in the food and diamond trades for Hizballah. Since then, Kassim Tajideen owned Congo Futur, which operates in the food and diamond trades.

Ovlas Trading S.A.: Kassim Tajideen owns Ovlas Trading which operates in the food manufacturing business.

Golfrate Holdings (Angola) Lda: Owned by Kassim Tajideen, Golfrate is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ovlas Trading, with part of its main operations located in Angola.

Afri Belg Commercio E Industria Lda: Afri Belg Commercio E Industria Lda, is a subsidiary of Ovlas Trading, and is presided over by Kassim Tajideen.

Grupo Arosfran Empreendimentos E Participacoes Sarl (Grupo Arosfran): Kassim Tajideen founded Grupo Arosfran in Luanda, Angola, in November 1991. He has been the primary decision maker and leader of Grupo Arosfran and a member of the Board of Directors. Grupo Arosfran is listed as either a branch or a subsidiary of Ovlas Trading on multiple international business websites.

As Hizballah’s chief representative in South America, Bilal Mohsen Wehbe has relayed information and direction between Hizballah leaders in Lebanon and Hizballah elements in South America. He has also overseen Hizballah’s counterintelligence activity in the Tri-Border Area (TBA) of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.

Wehbe has been involved in transferring funds collected in Brazil to Hizballah in Lebanon. Following Hizballah’s conflict with Israel in 2006, Wehbe and Ali Muhammad Kazan, identified by Treasury as a SDGT in December 2006, raised more than $500,000 for Hizballah from Lebanese businessmen in the TBA. Wehbe also has worked for the office of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose regime provides the majority of Hizballah's budget.

Identifying Information:

Individual: Ali TAJIDEEN

AKA: TAJ AL DIN, Ali

AKA: TAJEDDINE, Ali

AKA: TAJEDDIN, Ali Mohammad Abed Al-Hassan

AKA: TAJEDDIN, Ali Mohammad Abdel Hassan

AKA: TAGEDDINE, Ali Mohamed

DOB 1: 1961

DOB 2: 1963

POB: Hanaway (Hanouay/Hanawiya), Lebanon

Nationality: Lebanese



Individual: Husayn TAJIDEEN

AKA: TAJ AL DIN, Husayn

AKA: TAJIDINE, Hajj Hussein

AKA: TAJIDEEN, Hussein

Address: The Gambia

DOB: 1963



Entity: Tajco

AKA: TAJCO LTD

AKA: TAJCO SARL

AKA: TAJCO COMPANY

AKA: TAJCO COMPANY LLC

Subsidiary: TRADEX CO

Address 1: 62 Buckle Street, Banjul, The Gambia

Address 2: 1 Picton Street, Banjul, The Gambia

Address 3: Dohat Building 1st Floor, Liberation Avenue, Banjul, The Gambia

Address 4: Tajco Building, Hanouay, Sour (Tyre), Lebanon

Address 5: 30 Sani Abacha Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone

Address 6: Tyre, Hannawiyah, Main Street, Tajco Building, Lebanon

Website Address 1: www.tajco-ltd.com

Website Address 2: www.tajcogambia.com


Entity: Kairaba Supermarket

AKA: KAIRABA SHOPPING CENTER

Address 1: Kairaba Ave, P.O. Box 2176, Banjul, The Gambia

Address 2: 62 Buckle Street, Banjul, The Gambia

Address 3: Pipeline Road, Banjul, The Gambia


Entity: Congo Futur

AKA: CONGO FUTURE

AKA: GROUPE CONGO FUTUR

AKA: CONGO FUTUR IMPORT

Address 1: Future Tower, 3462 Boulevard du 30 Juin, Gombe, Kinshasa, Democratic

Republic of the Congo

Address 2: Avenue du Flambeau 389, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Website Address: www.congofutur.com


Entity: Ovlas Trading S.A.

AKA: OVLAS TRADING S.A.L.

Address 1: Al Salia Building, Embassy Street, Bir Hassan, Beirut, Lebanon

Address 2: Akara Building, 24 De Castro Street, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town,

Tortola, Virgin Islands, British

Website: www.ovlas-trading.com


Entity: Golfrate Holdings Lda

AKA: GOLFRATE AFRICA

AKA: GOLFRATE

Subsidiary: GOLFRATE DISTRIBUTION

Subsidiary: GOLFRATE FOOD INDUSTRIES

Subsidiary: GOLFRATE HPC INDUSTRIES

Subsidiary: GOLFRATE PAINTS (TINTAS DE DYRUP)

Address 1: Avenida 4 de Fevereiro No. 13, C.P. 6172, Luanda, Angola

Address 2: Avenida 4 de Fevereiro 13 R/N, Luanda, Angola

Address 3: Av. 4 de Fevereiro no 13 R/C, Luanda, Angola

Email Address 1: info@golfrateangola.com

Email Address 2: qassim@golfrate.com

Email Address 3: golfrategrupo@ebonet.net

Website Address: www.golfrateangola.com


Entity: Afri Belg Commercio E Industria Lda

AKA: AFRI BELG

AKA: AFRI-BELG

Subsidiary 1: AFRI-BELG SUPERMERCADOS

Subsidiary 2: CASH & CARRY RETAIL STORES

Subsidiary 3: AFRI-BELG CONSTRUCTION

Subsidiary 4: AFRI-BELG AGRICULTURE

Address 1: Rua Comandante Valodia 266-268, Sao Paulo, Luanda, Angola

Address 2: Avenida Comandante De Valodia n. 0.67, 1 Andar, Luanda, Angola

Email Address: afribelg@snte.co.ao

Website Address: www.grupoarosfran.net


Entity: Grupo Arosfran Empreendimentos E Participacoes Sarl

AKA: GRUPO AROSFRAN

AKA: GRUPO AROSFRAM

Subsidiary: AROSFRAN

Address 1: 1st Floor, Avenida Comandante Valodia, No. 65, Luanda, Angola

Address 2: Rua Clube Maritimo Africano, No 22 r/c, Luanda, Angola

Address 3: Rua Comandante de Volodia, No 67, Premiero Andar, Luanda, Angola

Address 4: Avenida Comandante de Valodia, No. 0.67, 1 Andar, Luanda, Angola

Address 5: Rua General Rocadas 5, Luanda, Angola

Email Address 1: arosfram@netangola.com

Email Address 2: info@grupoarosfran.net

Email Address 3: arosfran@netangola.com

Website Address: www.grupoarosfran.net


Individual: Bilal Mohsen Wehbe

AKA: Shaykh Bilal Mohsen Wehbi

AKA: Shaykh Bilal Mohsen Wahbi

AKA: Shaykh Bilal Muhsin Wihbi

AKA: Sayyid Muhsin Bilal Wahbi

AKA: Bilal Mohsem Wehbi

AKA: Bilal Muhsin Wahbi

AKA: Bilal Wahbe

Brazilian Passport: CZ74340

Brazilian Identification Number: 7-768-804-8

Lebanese Passport: 0083628

DOB: January 7, 1967

Residence: Avenida Jose Maria de Brito 929,

Centro, Foz Do Iguacu, Parana State, Brazil

Monday, December 06, 2010

Statement by Ambassador Maura Connelly After Meeting with Prime Minister Hariri

December 6, 2010. I just concluded a productive meeting with Prime Minister Hariri during which we discussed the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Lebanon.

In light of recent media reports, I would like to take this opportunity to raise the release of what are claimed to be classified State Department cables that detail private diplomatic discussions. As a matter of policy we don’t comment on documents that purport to contain classified information but we would condemn in the strongest possible terms the deliberate and unauthorized disclosure of any classified materials. There is the potential for groups wanting to harm the relationship between the U.S. and Lebanon to seek to use such disclosures as an opportunity to release fabricated materials to sow discord and mistrust.

Illegal and irresponsible releases like those made by Wikileaks serve those who want to increase tensions and settle political scores through inaccurate, out-of-context, and deliberate misinterpretations of material that is claimed to be authentic, but cannot be verified. Ultimately, our policies are set by the President of the United States and the Secretary of State and are a matter of public record, the subject of thousands of pages of speeches, statements, policy papers, and other documents that the State Department makes freely available online and elsewhere.

Here in Beirut, our policy towards Lebanon remains unchanged. Lebanon has many friends, including the United States, who are strong supporters of its sovereignty and security. We are all committed to a strong partnership with Lebanon and to Lebanon’s future. We will continue to encourage actors within Lebanon and across the region to act responsibly and in the best interests of the Lebanese people. We call on all responsible actors to work to help resolve conflicts, not to reignite them.

Regarding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the U.S. reaffirms its view of the Tribunal as an independent judicial entity that must continue to remain free from political interference. The STL’s work is legitimate and necessary. It represents a chance for Lebanon to begin moving beyond its long history of political violence. There is no possible justification for threats of violence in relation to the STL’s legal and judicial activities. The Special Tribunal’s goal is to end impunity for political assassinations. Without justice, it will be impossible to achieve the future of peace and stability – the normal life that the Lebanese people deserve. Thus, presenting justice and stability as a choice is wrong. Lebanon, like any country, needs both.

The STL indictments, when they are released, will mark a new stage in a transparent judicial process—a process that has the backing of the United Nations. Ultimately, the STL’s activities are not just about justice for Rafik Hariri, Basil Fuleihan, and the 20 other victims killed and injured on February 14, 2005. This process is a means of demonstrating an end to the era of unaccountability for the terrible and tragic violence that touched all of Lebanon’s communities.

Thank you.