United States Includes Kongra-gel In Its List Of Terrorist Organizations

ANKARA - The United States has included KONGRA-GEL, the continuation of terrorist organization PKK/KADEK, in its list of terrorist organizations.
Releasing a statement on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara said, ''KONGRA-GEL was included in the list of terrorist organizations. This amendment, published on January 13, 2004 in the Federal Register, applies to the designations of this organization as a foreign terrorist organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act and under Executive Order 13224.''
''KADEK, now commonly known as KONGRA-GEL, has continued to engage in terrorist activity since announcing its name change on November 11, 2003,'' it said.
The statement noted that Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage made the decision about inclusion of KONGRA-GEL in the list of terrorist organizations in consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security.
''The amendment of the foreign terrorist organization designation preserves the U.S. government's ability to take action against this organization under its new names. This act makes it illegal for persons in the United States or subject to U.S. jurisdiction to provide material support to this terrorist group. It requires U.S. financial institutions to block assets held by them; and it enables us to deny visas to representatives of this group. The designation blocks property and prohibits the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of this group,'' the statement added.
(UK-MS) 14.01.2004