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It all comes back to money

In nearly everything in life, it all eventually comes back to money.

In this story from Bloomberg, we can see the "Patriot Act" have an effect that almost no one talked about. Not the terrible crime of investigating the books you check out at the library, but money laundering, the lifes blood of terrorism and all sorts of state level illegality.

snip.

The U.S. Treasury Department, in a shift in its policy toward North Korea, has decided to treat all transactions involving the nation as suspect and subject to sanctions while dictator Kim Jong Il develops nuclear weapons.

``Given the regime's counterfeiting of U.S. currency, narcotics trafficking and use of accounts worldwide to conduct proliferation-related transactions, the line between illicit and licit North Korean money is nearly invisible,'' said Stuart Levey, Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.

snip.

Investigators later froze the U.S. assets of 10 more North Korean entities it said were involved in illegal activities. The U.S. has also targeted 13 Iranian organizations and one from Syria, Treasury spokeswoman Molly Millerwise said in Washington.

Levey last month visited Vietnam and told leaders there to be wary of allowing banking relationships with North Korean banks.

North Korea has demanded that the U.S. remove financial sanctions as a condition for resuming talks on giving up its nuclear weapons program.

Bush said he asked China's President Hu Jintao earlier this week to put pressure on North Korea to return to the talks, which include as participants Russia, China, South Korea and Japan.

End snip.

Oh, and theres this little item. Kim Il Jong is going to visit China next week!

snip.
"A major South Korean newspaper quotes intelligence sources saying Kim Jong Il may travel to China as soon as next week, at the invitation of China's President, Hu Jintao."

"Relations between North Korea and its neighbour have been strained after China backed a resolution at the United Nations Security Council, condemning Pyongyang over a series of missile tests last month."

End snip.

You and I travel when we want, where we want. Kim Il Jong doesnt leave the nest unless its a very big deal. He doesnt fly, he only takes the train, and they never ever talk about it before hand.

So, President Bush talks to Hu Jintao.
Hu Jintao then "invites" Kim Il Jong.
Kim Il Jong "accepts" the invitation.
To visit the President of China.

And all this in the week after our President essentially shuts down "the bank" and puts the word out to all the other banks that all transactions from this group will be tagged as "suspect".

Gosh. I sure would love to be a fly on the wall for that meeting.

Gee, it's almost like Michael Corleone has just asked his sister Connies husband to come to dinner, isnt it?

UPDATE: Hello, Mr. Kim? Yes, this is 'Eddie' from South China Gas and Electric. Ah, Yes sir I hate to inform you that we've been forced to turn off your gas until you come downtown and straighten out a few things with the head office.

Posted @ August 25, 2006 05:42 PM | Current Affairs