Kyrgyzstan takes first steps to counter financing of terrorism, money laundering

The Eurasian group on combating money laundering and against financing of terrorism has started an evaluation mission in Kyrgyzstan.

The objective of this international organization's experts is to evaluate the programme to combat against financing of terrorism and to prevent money laundering.

 "Today, there are contradictions in current law in light of the latest amendments. Specifically, the contradictions are in its part on disclosure of bank information and institution of administrative and criminal proceedings for violating this law. Our service has drawn up several draft laws in order to eliminate the contradictions. The draft laws were examined by all the relevant ministries and agencies. Then, in line with a special government resolution, these were sent to the parliament for consideration and adoption. I think that the drafts are being examined by parliamentary committees, and that in the near future these will be adopted," Stalbek Kalmanov, captioned as a representative of financial intelligence service, said.  

"Anyway, Kyrgyzstan will be evaluated, and we think the results will not be negative. Only the fact that our country adopted that law means that we will not be negatively evaluated. Actions have already been taken to implement the law. But there will be remarks that this programme is not up to the mark, but it is a new programme for Kyrgyzstan, a new area. Now we are only taking our first steps", he underscored.

/broadcasted by Kyrgyz Television 1, January 30, 2007/
 
Source: BBC Monitoring