UPI: U.S. seizing fewer suspected terror assets

United Press International
U.S. seizing fewer suspected terror assets
Jan. 30

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060130-112634-6292r

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Treasury officials deny that the shrinking amount of assets seized each year in the battle against terrorist activities is a sign of flagging vigilance.

In the 16 weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, 157 suspected terrorism fundraisers were identified and assets valued at $68 million were frozen. In 2005, the numbers fell to $4.9 million frozen in the accounts of 32 suspects or organizations, USA Today reported Monday.

That concerns Jimmy Gurule, a former Treasury Department undersecretary for enforcement, who told the newspaper he finds the numbers "very, very disturbing."

"The strategy needs to be re-evaluated, restructured and refocused," said Gurule, who left the Bush administration in 2003 and is a law professor at the University of Notre Dame.