December 5, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 29,1423

RIYADH, Dec 4: Saudi Arabia has unveiled a nine-page document, “Initiatives and actions taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the financial area to combat terrorism,” detailing its actions taken so far in its fight against global terrorism.

The document revealed that the kingdom has frozen accounts and assets worth $5.6 million in 33 accounts held by three individuals. It has also set up a “high commission” for oversight of all charities and drafting procedures, which are still in the finalisation phase, to manage Saudi charitable organisation and donations to ensure that they do not get diverted to terrorism.

Adel Al-Jubeir, the foreign policy advisor to the Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah was reported here as telling the press corps in Washington that the Saudi government has been facing problems in dealing with the exchange of anti-terrorism information with the US authorities.

It seems various US government offices are not communicating between themselves. Adel’s effort was definitely at speaking out on Saudi Arabia’s counter-terrorism activities and attempt to clear up allegations that the kingdom was complacent on terrorism.

Al-Jubeir had earlier indicated that there could have been instances when people exploited the generosity of the Saudis and some charity funding may have been diverted towards such terrorist organisation.

He however, clarified; “We will be vigilant. We will be determined. And we will be merciless when it comes to dealing with terrorism and those who perpetrate it.”