The international community is facing a major dilemma concerning the ways and means of combating Islamic extremists. One impediment is that Islamic terrorists use the very sensitive issue of religion to propagate their dark ideas. Fact is that nations that sponsor terrorism, active terrorist cells and the widespread terrorist network – whose methods and activities we have tried to describe in this study –represent a serious threat to the entire humanity. There is no cure for this kind of evil save for international cooperation, exchange of information and prevention. One remedial action could be the multilateral destruction of the Afghan poppy fields, because heroin coming from that country represents 78% of the world production, and is the main source of income to Islamic terrorists. Additionally, nations sponsoring terrorism should face international penalties.
[1] According to EU reports, many Islamic charities that have been banned still operate in BiH – including Al Hаramain, Al Maysed Al Aqsa, and Benevolence International Foundation (BIF). All these organizations were banned in BiH (after direct political pressure from the West) but there are indications they remain active. Specifically noted was BIF, which was blacklisted in the U.S. [2] In August 2002, Federal Banking Agency aproved the merger of Vakufska and Depozitna banks, owned by Yasin Al-Qadi (44.3%) and “Mahmal Investments” (44.2%), which has been under investigation by intelligence agencies for years, on suspicion of funding terrorism. [3] Between 1998 and 2000, “Енгра д.о.о” was conducting financial transactions on behalf of an organization linked to Bin-Laden, through accounts with Depozitna and Vakufska banks of Sarajevo (Zenica branch). [4] Abdul Latif Saleh received Albanian citizenship in just over month; he filed a request on September 17, and received in on October 21, through Decree # 328. [5] Two accounts of “MediCare” association, one at the “Raiffeisen” bank and the other at the National Trade Bank, both in Albanian currency; and two accounts (one of which was in U.S. dollars) at the National Trade Bank, of “Caravan”. [6] Three houses of 200-350 sq. meters each in the town of Bulqiza. [7] One house of 500 sq. meters in Tirana. [8] David Hicks was in Albania in 1998-99, took part in the war in Kosovo, was captured as a member of Al-Qaeda and detained in Guantanamo Bay. [9] Both Abdul Latif Saleh and Yasin Al-Qadi were represented in court by Idayet Beqiri, political secretary of the “Front of Albanian National Unity” (FBKSh). [10] See the testimony of Matthew Epstein and Evan Kolmann before the House Committee on Financial Services, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation: “Progress since September 11, 2001: US achievements in efforts to finance counter-terrorism; funding of Al-Qaeda by Arabian Gulf countries through US-based banks, corporations, and charities”; March 11, 2003