Disclosure of Terrorist Finance Tracking Program

Follow-up to June 22, 2006 posting, Government Mines Global Financial Data in War on Terror, the following related government documents and news today includes:

Press release: Statement of Treasury Secretary John W. Snow on
Disclosure of the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program: “Given our intimate knowledge of the global financial system and financial flows, along with our close working relationships with financial institutions around the world, Treasury is uniquely positioned to track these terrorist money flows both internationally and domestically. This is part of an overall governmental effort to map terrorist networks and apprehend terrorists around the world. By following the money, the U.S. has been able to locate operatives and their financiers, chart terrorist networks, help bring them to justice, and save lives.”

E&P: Lichtblau of ‘NYT’ Explains Attempt to Halt His Bank Records Scoop

Cheney Assails Press on Report on Bank Data

SWIFT statement on compliance policy, Published on 23 June 2006: “In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, SWIFT responded to compulsory subpoenas for limited sets of data from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury. Our fundamental principle has been to preserve the confidentiality of our users data while complying with the lawful obligations in countries where we operate. Striking that balance has guided SWIFT through this process with the United States Department of the Treasury.”

LA Times (reg. req’d), Officials Defend Bank Data Tracking. Amid privacy concerns, the Bush administration portrays the Treasury Department’s secret program as crucial to the war on terrorism.

Rep. King: NYT Reporters Should Be Charged Under Espionage Act

Overblown cover – Commentary: Why make a federal case out of money-tracing story? by Thomas Kostigen, MarketWatch

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