U.S. Proposes Partial Thaw of Terror Suspects’ Assets

In a move aimed at making life easier for more than 200 people allegedly linked to Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network, the United States has proposed partially lifting a freeze of financial assets to allow them to pay for food, rent and other living expenses.

A draft resolution circulated to the 15-member U.N. Security Council would authorize the country where the individuals live to determine the amount of money that can be released.

The council in January shifted sanctions from the government of Afghanistan to Bin Laden, his Al Qaeda network and the nation’s former Taliban rulers.

It ordered all nations to impose a travel ban and arms embargo and freeze the assets of individuals and groups on a list compiled by a council committee monitoring the sanctions. The latest list, issued May 22, includes more than 200 individuals in more than a dozen countries and more than 60 banks, companies, organizations and other entities.

The U.S. draft resolution is a response to complaints from some individuals on the list and their governments that the January resolution was making people subject to sanctions destitute because it did not make sufficient provisions for living expenses.

The proposed U.S. “technical amendment” would allow the countries where individuals on the list live to determine the amount of money necessary for basic expenses, “including payments for foodstuffs, rent or mortgage, medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums and public utility charges.” The funds would then be released. Funds could also be unfrozen to pay for some legal fees and service charges.

The United States is expected to formally introduce the resolution to the council next week.