16 February 2004	Monday	24 Zilhaj 1424

ABU DHABI, Feb 15: The UAE Central Bank said on Sunday reports that a Dubai-based businessman helped Libya and Iran develop nuclear programmes were speculation, but that he would be investigated if proof emerged of illegal activities.

Central Bank Governor Sultan Nasser Al Suweidi said the UAE would only launch a probe into the affairs of B.S.A Tahir - head of Dubai's Gulf Technical Industries (GTI) - if proof of wrongdoing came to light.

Asked about reports of possible links between Tahir and the Iranian and Libyan atomic programmes, Suweidi told reporters: "This is speculation. If we find something real then we'll investigate it financially, but these are news items. If and when the time arises we might investigate."

US President George W. Bush has described Tahir as a deputy to Abdul Qadeer Khan, the father of Pakistan's atomic programme, who has confessed to leaking nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea.

President Bush said Tahir was in Malaysia and an intelligence source there told Reuters that Tahir was under investigation, but was free to come and go.

MONEY LAUNDERING: Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop on fighting money laundering, Mr Suweidi said several cases in the UAE had been transferred to the courts.

The UAE central bank, which passed a law in 2002 to fight money laundering, had ordered a freeze on assets of 26 "terrorist" groups and individuals blacklisted by the United States.

He described cooperation with the United States in fighting money laundering and terror funding as "excellent", and said the UAE wanted a special unit to facilitate communication.

"They (US officials) are helping us on a lot of issues and we are helping them whenever a case arises when UAE parties are involved," Mr Suweidi said. Officials from the US Department of Justice were instructing UAE central bank staff during the two-day workshop in the capital Abu Dhabi on investigating and prosecuting money laundering cases.

"We've been pleased with the cooperation and effort of the UAE in fighting money laundering," said Michael Davitt, deputy chief for litigation, asset forfeiture and money laundering at the US Department of Justice. -Reuters