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| Identifier: | 05DAMASCUS5937 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 05DAMASCUS5937 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Damascus |
| Created: | 2005-11-01 18:53:00 |
| Classification: | CONFIDENTIAL |
| Tags: | EFIN KTFN SY |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 005937
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA, EB/ESC/TFS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2015
TAGS: EFIN, KTFN, SY
SUBJECT: POST,S ASSESSMENT OF CASH COURIER ENVIRONMENT
REF: A. TREASURY DTG 011853Z NOV 05
B. REF B: DAMASCUS 329
Classified By: Classified By: CDA Stephen Seche for reasons 1.b. and d.
1. (U) This cable is post,s informal, in-house assessment
of the cash courier environment in Syria as per ref A tasking.
2. (C) The SARG has restrictions for bringing money into or
out of the country but the requirement to declare is neither
well publicized nor visible when traveling through customs.
Enforcement depends on the individual customs official
deciding to physically search the traveler to check
compliance. In practice, enforcement is arbitrary but if
found to be in violation, the customs agent is empowered to
seize all of the individual,s cash. Syrians can take
3000USD out of the country on each trip and nonresidents
5000USD. The amount increases to 30,000USD for anyone
seeking medical care abroad. Customs officials are largely
ill-trained and unaware of cash courier problems. Customs
officials are underpaid and known to be easily corrupted.
Because Syria is a cash-based economy, smuggling is a
recurrent and systematic problem. Syria does not yet have a
functioning financial intelligence unit, therefore, there is
little sharing of information on cash smuggling between
host-country agencies.
3. (C) The SARG has reviewed FATF special recommendation IX.
Embassy Damascus has engaged the SARG on cash couriers on a
number of occasions over the last 12 months, especially as
they pertain to Iraq. The SARG has expressed some concern
but claims it needs international assistance to be able to
take effective action to address the issue.
4. (C) The SARG has received assistance from the EU on
establishing a financial intelligence unit but nothing
specific to cash couriers that we are aware of. The SARG
would welcome assistance from the USG. The SARG gave us a
list of equipment needed to improve enforcement (ref B).
SECHE
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