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"Washington Notes" is MPAC's weekly round-up of Washington, DC news and events that impact the American Muslim community. By highlighting Congressional hearings and policy forums, MPAC connects you directly with the Senate, House of Representatives, think-tanks, organizations, and federal agencies. We monitor important conversations on Islam and Muslims in order to enhance the role of American Muslims in the future of our nation. We invite you to do the same...
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June 14, 2006
COUNTERTERRORISM: THE CHANGING FACE OF TERROR
Senate Committee on Foreign Relation
Presiding: Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
"All of this shows that despite our operational and tactical successes, the root causes of terrorism and the intense ideological motivations behind this phenomenon persist ... Does our current strategy sufficiently account for the roles of diplomacy, international exchange, and foreign assistance in this battle, so that we can reach Muslims and others who currently hear a message of hate and revenge from within their most radical ranks?
How do we counter not just Osama Bin Laden's tactics, but enlist support to discredit his strategic plan and vision within the worldwide Muslim community? And how do we artfully use "soft power" to deny the terrorists their favored havens of unstable societies and uncontrolled territories?" – Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
SEE: Proceedings from "Counterterrorism: The Changing Face of Terror" (U.S. Senate, 6/13/06)
June 19, 2006
IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AT THE WORKPLACE: LEARNING THE MISTAKES OF 1986
Senate Committee on Judiciary
Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship
Presiding: Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)
"Law enforcement against those businesses that exploit immigrant labor has been virtually nonexistent during this Administration. Workplace enforcement must include more than just arresting those who are working illegally: there must also be accountability for unscrupulous employers who take unfair advantage of those who desperately want to work to improve their lives." – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
SEE: Senate Leahy's Remarks on Workplace Immigration Enforcement (U.S. Senate, 6/19/06)
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June 22, 2006
PRESIDENT BUSH ENGAGES EU SUMMIT
"The problem is -- and I will be very frank on that, and I said it the same way like we did it here, and we say it now -- we are only -- we can only have a victory in the fight against terror if we don't undermine our common values. It can never be a victory, a credible victory over terrorists if we give up our values: democracy, rule of law, individual rights. This is important to know. And our discussion with all the European parliament, the European governments, I personally -- we are calling for the closure of Guantanamo." - Wolfgang Schussel, EU Council
SEE: "President Bush Participates in Press Availability at 2006 U.S.-EU Summit" (White House, 6/21/06)
"That's absurd!" Mr. Bush declared, dismissing a reporter's suggestion that most Europeans regard the United States as a bigger threat to global stability than North Korea, which has proclaimed it has nuclear weapons, and Iran, which is suspected of developing them. Later, asked about polls showing Europeans have a low opinion of him, the president said: "Look, people didn't agree with my decision on Iraq, and I understand that. For Europe, September the 11th was a moment; for us, it was a change of thinking." – New York Times
SEE: "Bush's Visit to Vienna is Marked by Tension" (New York Times, 6/21/06)
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June 23, 2006
7 MIAMI MEN CHARGED WITH DISCUSSING ATTACKS ON SEARS TOWER, FBI
"Seven men were charged in the United States on Friday with discussing attacks on the landmark Sears Tower in Chicago and the FBI building in Miami in a mission they hoped would be "just as good or greater" than Sept. 11, U.S. officials said. But Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told a news conference in Washington that the plotting of the "home-grown terrorism cell" never went beyond the earliest planning stages.
"'There was no immediate threat,' Gonzales said, acknowledging the defendants never had any actual contact with al Qaeda and did not get their hands on weapons or explosives." – Reuters
SEE: "4-Miami Men Accused of Discussing Attacks on U.S." (Reuters, 6/23/06)
SEE ALSO: "MPAC Discusses Miami Terror Plot with FBI" (MPAC, 6/23/06)
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June 23, 2006
U.S. SEARCHING BANK TRANSACTIONS FOR TERROR FINANCING
"In an effort to track the flow of terrorist money in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the Treasury Department obtained data from an international cooperative that transmits information between financial institutions worldwide, both the department and the cooperative said. Speaking at a press conference Friday, Treasury Secretary John Snow insisted the program was 'consistent with our democratic values' and 'an important source of information about global financial flows.'" – CNN
SEE: "U.S. Searching Bank Transactions" (CNN, 6/23/06)
"A former senior Treasury official expressed concern the program allows access to vast quantities of sensitive data that could be abused without safeguards. The official, who said he did not have independent knowledge of the program, questioned what becomes of the data .
"The effort also runs counter to the expectations of privacy and security that are sacrosanct in the worldwide banking community... US officials, some of whom expressed surprise the program had not previously been revealed, acknowledged it would be controversial in the financial community. 'It is certainly not going to sit well in the world marketplace,' said the former counterterrorism official." – Los Angeles Times
SEE: "Secret U.S. Program Tracks Global Bank Transfers" (Los Angeles Times, 6/23/06)
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