(Archived Content)
Cohen to Meet with Senior Government Officials to Discuss Kidnapping for Ransom,
Iran and Syria Sanctions Efforts
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced today that Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen will travel to France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom from October 1-5 for meetings with senior government officials to discuss counter-terrorist financing priorities as well as continued Iran and Syria sanctions efforts. While in Europe, Under Secretary Cohen will discuss how the United States and its partners can work together to prevent terrorist organizations from using kidnapping for ransom as a key means of funding their activities. He will also discuss efforts to further increase pressure on the Iranian government through sanctions and will emphasize the need for continued coordinated efforts to sanction the Syrian regime for its violent crackdown against the Syrian people.
These meetings are closed press.
On October 5, Under Secretary Cohen will deliver a speech in London at the Chatham House on kidnapping for ransom. In his remarks, he will highlight how al-Qa’ida and its affiliates, including in particular its affiliate in North Africa, have turned to kidnapping for ransom to finance their operations. This event will be open press.
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