Australian officials consult on measures to stop the financing of terrorism through Iran

[News_Editor]

Australian officials consult on measures to stop the financing of terrorism through Iran

2011-03-29 09:32:25 GMT+7 (ICT)

SYDNEY (BNO NEWS) -- Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd and Justice Minister Brendan O'Connor on Tuesday began consultation on measures to stop money laundering and terrorism financing through Iran.

"Australia and the international community are aware that Iran is a source of money laundering and terrorism financing," O'Connor said. "Greater measures are necessary to prevent criminals taking advantage of weaknesses in Iran's government and banking systems to launder the proceeds of crime or finance terrorist attacks."

The draft regulations in Australia would prohibit transactions with parties in Iran of $20,000 or more. Businesses that want to continue dealing with parties in Iran would need to seek an exemption from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for transactions over $20,000.

The prohibition focuses on transactions that have a high money laundering or terrorism financing risk, such as international money transfers.

The draft regulations complement new requirements for entities that report to AUSTRAC, Australia's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulator and specialist financial intelligence unit. The new anti money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules require greater vigilance for all transactions involving parties in Iran, including closer scrutiny of transactions and increased due diligence checks by businesses upon their customers.

"This action demonstrates Australia's willingness to take action to stop the ongoing money laundering and terrorism financing risk that emanates from Iran," O'Connor said.

Rudd said the measures help protect Australian interests and the interests of its allies across the world. "Australia is committed to strong international action against threats to peace and security," Rudd said. "These measures complement Australia's sanctions regime relating to Iran's nuclear program."

The Foreign Minister said it is important to take action to reduce the risk of terrorism and international crime, and noted that the inter-governmental body the Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) has called for countries to apply measures against Iran to ensure compliance with international standards.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-29

[chuckd]

I am a little confused.

Has Australia just now realized that Iran might be a financial backer of terrorism?

Can any of you Aussies help me out here?

[Crushdepth]

Political stunt. Their banking system is already shut down as far as international transfers go.

[bangkokeddy]

Political stunt. Their banking system is already shut down as far as international transfers go.

Two Minutes' Hate News.

Keeps the people in line.

[chuckd]

Political stunt. Their banking system is already shut down as far as international transfers go.

Thanks for the response. I couldn't believe what I had read.

[coma]

I agree. Definately a political stunt. And more to do with Kevin Rudds ego I would have thought. He thinks he is the worlds best dimplomat and is pushing hard for Australia to get a seat on the UN security council. Next thing he will be going for UN Secretary- General when the Ban's term is up.

[Steely Dan]

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

[Naam]

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

Hizbollah's threatening of the Commonwealth of Australia is the main reason for the additional new restrictions. the old restrictions remain in place because Hizbollah -financed by Iran- keeps on training saltwater crocodiles to attack Australian infidels.

[Crushdepth]

Maybe we should donate a few crocs back to them.

[Steely Dan]

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

Hizbollah's threatening of the Commonwealth of Australia is the main reason for the additional new restrictions. the old restrictions remain in place because Hizbollah -financed by Iran- keeps on training saltwater crocodiles to attack Australian infidels.

I wonder where they got the idea from, sounds pretty far fetched n'est pas?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/8185915/Shark-sent-to-Egypt-by-Mossad.html

Still better jaw jaws than war wars.

P.S Gene Rodenberry had it right with the Klingons did he not?

[coma]

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

Obviously never been to Iran have you. The Iranian people are doing ok. Better than most in the region.

[chuckd]

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

Obviously never been to Iran have you. The Iranian people are doing ok. Better than most in the region.

And you have obviously never been to Bahrain (pre-demonstrations), the Emirates or Saudi. You would be hard pressed to say the Iranian people are doing better than most in the 'region'.

[Ulysses G.]

The Iranian people are doing ok.

The Iranian people seem to disagree with you.

Edited March 29, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[coma]

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

Obviously never been to Iran have you. The Iranian people are doing ok. Better than most in the region.

And you have obviously never been to Bahrain (pre-demonstrations), the Emirates or Saudi. You would be hard pressed to say the Iranian people are doing better than most in the 'region'.

You are joking. Why exactly are Bahrainians, Saudis etc etc crying out for change? Cuz they want a better life. Sure, they are extremely wealthy countries but that wealth stays with the elite minority which are in bed with US. Why did the Saudi Royal Family/government just promise billions of dollars in wage rises to hold on to power. You are being blinded by personnal issues that have no place here. Iranians are a beautiful people and live a quite luxurious lifestyle with all the modern shopping centres, restaurants and theatre events. Just cuz America says that they are evil doesn't mean we all need to believe it. Cuz it is simply not true.

[coma]

The Iranian people are doing ok.

The Iranian people seem to disagree with you.

If you say so. I aint getting into another tit for tat bitch fight with the likes of yourself. You argue negatively towards any country that doesn't speak your language. < insulting comment removed >. I am done.

Edited March 29, 2011 by metisdead
Removed insulting comment.

[JimsKnight]

This has exactly 'what' to do with 'Thai News'???

[coma]

This has exactly 'what' to do with 'Thai News'???

Nothing. Read the headline again dude.

[Ulysses G.]

I am done.

If only it were true!

[Ulysses G.]

If you say so. I aint getting into another tit for tat bitch fight with the likes of yourself.

Here are a million Iranians who don't buy what you are selling.

[chuckd]

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

Obviously never been to Iran have you. The Iranian people are doing ok. Better than most in the region.

And you have obviously never been to Bahrain (pre-demonstrations), the Emirates or Saudi. You would be hard pressed to say the Iranian people are doing better than most in the 'region'.

You are joking. Why exactly are Bahrainians, Saudis etc etc crying out for change? Cuz they want a better life. Sure, they are extremely wealthy countries but that wealth stays with the elite minority which are in bed with US. Why did the Saudi Royal Family/government just promise billions of dollars in wage rises to hold on to power. You are being blinded by personnal issues that have no place here. Iranians are a beautiful people and live a quite luxurious lifestyle with all the modern shopping centres, restaurants and theatre events. Just cuz America says that they are evil doesn't mean we all need to believe it. Cuz it is simply not true.

Ask the Iranians, not me. They are behind the demonstrations in Bahrain and those small flare ups in Saudi Arabia. By the way, for over ten years I lived some 20 miles from the center of the recent uprisings. The Shiites had two or three demonstrations there every year, usually amounting to nothing. I recently corresponded with some old friends in Saudi and they said it was business as usual this past month.

I lived in Tehran for five years, only leaving when the Shah was deposed by the Mullahs in 1979. I traveled extensively throughout Iran and enjoyed the country and it's people. Sadly I left in 1979 and was only able to return once, in 2004. I'm curious to know if the Rainbow Cabaret in Tehran is still operating. Do you have any input on that?

Shopping Centers? Ask anybody that has been there if the centers in Bahrain, Dhahran, Riyadh, Dubai, Oman and Jeddah weren't packed full of locals shopping on Thursday and Friday of each week. I can't attest as to the activity in the Shopping Centers in Tehran or Isfahan but you seem to be in the loop there.

The only thing I am blinded by is experience, having lived harmoniously with both Shiites and Sunnis for over 30 years of my life. I don't dislike Muslims but I do dislike the Radical Islamic Fundamentalists.

Tell us again...When were you in the Middle East?

Edited March 29, 2011 by chuckd

[chuckd]

This has exactly 'what' to do with 'Thai News'???

Nothing. Read the headline again dude.

To put it much more politely, this is the World News section.

[coma]

Dear Mr Chuckd,

That is a lovely resume. Unfortunatley we have no vacancies at the moment.If I am looking to employ somebody for the Middle East Ops office then I might drop you a line. As far as telling you about my experiences. This is not the place to discussing such details. Once again though. I will keep you in mind if any vacancies come up. 555

[Ulysses G.]

i don't think that he is looking for a job with the Iranian propoganda office.

[coma]

i don't think that he is looking for a job with the Iranian propoganda office.

Ahhh! Uly. Sometimes you post stuff that is quite humurous and makes me smile. This is one of those times.

[Steely Dan]

The only thing I am blinded by is experience, having lived harmoniously with both Shiites and Sunnis for over 30 years of my life. I don't dislike Muslims but I do dislike the Radical Islamic Fundamentalists.

Well there speaks the voice of experience, the trouble is you fit nowhere on the internet jihadist venn diagram. Surely you must hate all Muslims a little bit.

[coma]

The only thing I am blinded by is experience, having lived harmoniously with both Shiites and Sunnis for over 30 years of my life. I don't dislike Muslims but I do dislike the Radical Islamic Fundamentalists.

Well there speaks the voice of experience, the trouble is you fit nowhere on the internet jihadist venn diagram. Surely you must hate all Muslims a little bit.

This is why we need to leave them be. So they will live happily ever after in their homeland [whatever that may mean] and will not spread their ideology all over the world like what is currently happening.

[kuffki]

Political stunt. Their banking system is already shut down as far as international transfers go.

You might have some wrong info there spot.

I have no problems transferring money out of OZ. My limit is set at $10 000 per day if i do it online

However if i go to a branch i can send any amount i want

[craigt3365]

One off topic post removed. Please stop the bickering... :jap:

[geriatrickid]

Political stunt. Their banking system is already shut down as far as international transfers go.

Not exactly. Our friends in Luxembourg along with German private investment funds have been using friendly Gulf state banks to circumvent international efforts for decades.

Iran funding Hizbollah to the tune of an estimated 1 billion dollars a year whilst their own people endure hardship is another political stunt.

Hizbollah's threatening of the Commonwealth of Australia is the main reason for the additional new restrictions. the old restrictions remain in place because Hizbollah -financed by Iran- keeps on training saltwater crocodiles to attack Australian infidels.

No, actually, it is national security threat. Hizbollah's lucrative drug trafficing operations that have facilitated the transport of Hashish and opium. No big secret. In Canada, police agencies have a long running batle going on with Hizbollah linked drug trafficers and its left a few bodies behind. Australians are still in denial about these people.

Edited March 30, 2011 by geriatrickid

[geriatrickid]

One off topic post removed. Please stop the bickering... :jap:

Comments on moderation are discouraged. Are expressions of sympathy allowed?