Monday, December 26, 2005
Jack Idema Might Have Used "Halawa"
So, according to ConservativeVoice, title link, Jack Idema might have been involved with "halawa."
"Hawala" is an interesting concept, and one that's a little tough to define to the Western Mind. It's a sort of underground money transfer system, used in Asia and the Middle East ... and these days, it's one of the mechanisms that terrorists use.
From Wikipedia: In the most basic variant of the hawala system, money is transferred via a network of hawala brokers, or hawaladars. A customer approaches a hawala broker in one city and gives a sum of money to be transferred to a recipient in another, usually foreign, city. The hawala broker calls another hawala broker in the recipient's city, gives disposition instructions of the funds (usually minus a small commission), and promises to settle the debt at a later date.
The unique feature of the system is that no promissory instruments are exchanged between the hawala brokers; the transaction takes place entirely on the honor system. As the system does not depend on the legal enforceability of claims, it can operate even in a defunct legal and juridical environment. No records are produced of individual transactions; only a running tally of the amount owed one broker by the other is kept. Settlements of debts between hawala brokers can take a variety of forms, and need not take the form of direct cash transactions.
Law enforcement officials, because of the Patriot Act have been able to seize millions, and bust more than a hundred people who've been funneling money to terrorists using "hawala."
Jack Kouri, writes in Conservative Voice: A nationwide campaign by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents against unlicensed money transmittal businesses and underground “hawalas” has resulted in the arrest of 140 individuals, 138 criminal indictments, and the seizure of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds since the enactment of the USA Patriot Act, which requires such businesses to be licensed and registered.
ICE has shut down a number of unlicensed money transmittal businesses that were responsible for the transfer of millions of dollars to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. In recent days, ICE has won guilty pleas from two defendants and arrested another on charges of operating unlicensed money transmittal businesses.
The investigation by ICE, the FBI, DEA, and IRS revealed that Alocozy’s business had been utilized by Jack Idema, the former Green Beret-turned bounty hunter who is currently imprisoned in Afghanistan for allegedly torturing Afghan civilians. During the investigation, Alocozy provided ICE investigators with copies of business ledgers indicating that Idema used Alocozy’s business to send funds from the U.S. to Afghanistan, presumably in support of his quest to capture Osama bin Laden and collect the $50 million reward.
So, Jack Idema might have been involved in "hawala." I believe the cognizant word here is alleged.
And, if US officials suspect him of participating in illegal money transfers, why is he in an Afgani prison ... why isn't he back in the states, standing trial here, where some bleeding heart liberal lawyer can get him off ... ohwait!
Liberals have been championing the case of Jose Padilla ... the guy who was a gang banger charged with more than one murder, before he found Allah, went to Al Quada training, and came back with plans for a dirty bomb to kill Americans.
Unfortunately, Jack Idema has only been trying to help the USA in Afganistan ... has a sterling record as a Green Beret ... and wouldn't have been averse to getting the millions of dollars reward if he caught Bin Laden.
Incidentally, according to News14 in S. Carolina, Idema's wife and friends are being pressured to help gather evidence against him. (above photo from the site)
Well, for a liberal, I guess ex-Green Beret vs ex-GangBanger is a no brainer.
If you want to learn more about Jack Idema, click to Cao'sBlog ... ¶ 6:30 AM
So, according to ConservativeVoice, title link, Jack Idema might have been involved with "halawa."
"Hawala" is an interesting concept, and one that's a little tough to define to the Western Mind. It's a sort of underground money transfer system, used in Asia and the Middle East ... and these days, it's one of the mechanisms that terrorists use.
From Wikipedia: In the most basic variant of the hawala system, money is transferred via a network of hawala brokers, or hawaladars. A customer approaches a hawala broker in one city and gives a sum of money to be transferred to a recipient in another, usually foreign, city. The hawala broker calls another hawala broker in the recipient's city, gives disposition instructions of the funds (usually minus a small commission), and promises to settle the debt at a later date.
The unique feature of the system is that no promissory instruments are exchanged between the hawala brokers; the transaction takes place entirely on the honor system. As the system does not depend on the legal enforceability of claims, it can operate even in a defunct legal and juridical environment. No records are produced of individual transactions; only a running tally of the amount owed one broker by the other is kept. Settlements of debts between hawala brokers can take a variety of forms, and need not take the form of direct cash transactions.
Law enforcement officials, because of the Patriot Act have been able to seize millions, and bust more than a hundred people who've been funneling money to terrorists using "hawala."
Jack Kouri, writes in Conservative Voice: A nationwide campaign by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents against unlicensed money transmittal businesses and underground “hawalas” has resulted in the arrest of 140 individuals, 138 criminal indictments, and the seizure of millions of dollars in illicit proceeds since the enactment of the USA Patriot Act, which requires such businesses to be licensed and registered.
ICE has shut down a number of unlicensed money transmittal businesses that were responsible for the transfer of millions of dollars to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran. In recent days, ICE has won guilty pleas from two defendants and arrested another on charges of operating unlicensed money transmittal businesses.
The investigation by ICE, the FBI, DEA, and IRS revealed that Alocozy’s business had been utilized by Jack Idema, the former Green Beret-turned bounty hunter who is currently imprisoned in Afghanistan for allegedly torturing Afghan civilians. During the investigation, Alocozy provided ICE investigators with copies of business ledgers indicating that Idema used Alocozy’s business to send funds from the U.S. to Afghanistan, presumably in support of his quest to capture Osama bin Laden and collect the $50 million reward.
So, Jack Idema might have been involved in "hawala." I believe the cognizant word here is alleged.
And, if US officials suspect him of participating in illegal money transfers, why is he in an Afgani prison ... why isn't he back in the states, standing trial here, where some bleeding heart liberal lawyer can get him off ... ohwait!
Liberals have been championing the case of Jose Padilla ... the guy who was a gang banger charged with more than one murder, before he found Allah, went to Al Quada training, and came back with plans for a dirty bomb to kill Americans.
Unfortunately, Jack Idema has only been trying to help the USA in Afganistan ... has a sterling record as a Green Beret ... and wouldn't have been averse to getting the millions of dollars reward if he caught Bin Laden.
Incidentally, according to News14 in S. Carolina, Idema's wife and friends are being pressured to help gather evidence against him. (above photo from the site)
Well, for a liberal, I guess ex-Green Beret vs ex-GangBanger is a no brainer.
If you want to learn more about Jack Idema, click to Cao'sBlog ... ¶ 6:30 AM
