WikiLeaks cable: Terrorism finance laws - update number two

This is one of the diplomatic cables about New Zealand held by Wikileaks.

23 March, 2005
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND: TERRORISM FINANCE - 2005 UPDATE NO. 2

This record is a partial extract of the original cable.
The full text of the original cable is not available.

(U) Classified by DCM David R. Burnett. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).

(U) Following is post's response to ref A, keyed to questions listed in ref A's Paragraph 10.

A. (U) No/no assets have been frozen, forfeited or seized in
New Zealand pursuant to UNSC Resolutions 1267 and 1373.

B. (C) The New Zealand government, wanting to be seen as a
mediating force and as a defender of small countries'
interests in the region, generally is reluctant to co-sponsor
initiatives just with the United States in multilateral
forums. Cooperation with New Zealand also is hindered by the
fact that it still is working to strengthen its
anti-terrorism laws and provisions for designating terrorists
that are not listed by the United Nations (ref B). The
government has not yet made such designations.

C. (U) The New Zealand government is willing to accept USG
training and technical assistance, including an assessment of
training needs. In fact, post has attempted to identify
appropriate training opportunities in Washington for New
Zealand officials, but has not been successful (ref D); we
have been told that New Zealand is not among countries
considered priorities for such training. The New Zealand
government is particularly seeking training in techniques in
investigating terrorism finance and in tracking terrorist
cells.

D. (S) We would rank New Zealand as "low" in terms of risk
that it will be used as a site for significant fund raising
or for significant banking services for terrorists. So far,
New Zealand has identified no assets held in the country by
terrorists designated through the UN 1267 Committee process.
New Zealand has built its efforts against terrorism financing
on a strong banking, financial reporting and enforcement
regime that has been in place to combat money laundering.
While the New Zealand government is investigating various
individuals who may have connections to terrorist
organizations such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelan,
Ansar Al-Island and al Qaida, those investigations have
focused on determining the nature of any such relationships
and have not uncovered any indication of criminal behavior
(ref C). The Embassy also has no information indicating that
a terrorist cell is operating in New Zealand.

Swindells