Palestinian Relief and Development Fund - Specially Designated Global Terrorist

[TriWooOx]

The following was handed out to customers (and some non customers present) at a Bath branch of Lloydtsb, as far as I'm aware its the first 'official' statement the bank has offered on its decision to force the closure of aid charity Interpals account.

"we apologise for any inconvenience experience today at our branch.

We'd like to give you some background and explain why your visit may be disrupted today.

Because Lloyds TSB, like many other banks has dealings with the United States, we have no option but to comply with US government economic sanctions laws which prevent us from offering services to companies that have been identified by the US government as global terrorists. The US has classified Interpal as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist which means that Lloyds TSB cannot provide any services to Interpal. Therefore we had to tell our customer, the Islamic Bank of Britain which maintains a relationship with Interpal, that we are not able to offer clearing services for Interpal.

We understand the strength of feeling about this issue but unfortunately our hands are tied. This is an issue for any company dealing with Interpal (directly or indirectly). The way to resolve this issue is either for Interpal to persuade the US government to remove them from their sanctions list, or for Interpal to work to find an industry wide solution/alternative to the current position - possibly with the assistance of the government.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused today.

Mon-Fri
0207 356 2493

All Other Times
0207 626 1500

Lloyds TSB | for the journey..."

The photocopy doesn't read that well, and the contact numbers on it are hand written, suggesting it was a rush job! No mention that Lloydstsb are the sole clearing bank not offering its clearing services meant the IBB had no choice but to close the account.

This note really makes clear how much this decision goes against one of the foundations of 'justice' (such as it is) in this country and many others ie "innocent until proven guilty". LTSB's idea of a solution is for Interpal to convince the US government it shouldn't be sanctioned. Rather than stating the burden of proof lies the US government to prove Interpal is actually guilty of something. The US has repeatedly failed to do so, and the legal proceedings and charity commission investigation should be enough proof of Interpals innocence.

Also its worth noting that the US classifying Interpal as a "specially designated global terrorist" is not a new, and that raises the obvious question, why now?

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/420294.html