2004 Press Releases

U.S. Government support of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATC)

November 23, 2004

Today, United States Ambassador Roy Austin continued U.S. Government support of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATC) by presenting Mr. Calvin Wilson, Executive Director of CFATC with a check for US$ 55,000.00. In presenting the check to Mr. Wilson, Ambassador Austin stated, “I know that you will put this money to good use in your struggle to combat the laundering of money gained through illegal pursuits and employed in nefarious activities.” The ceremony was held at the U.S. Embassy’s Information Resource Center.

The full text of Ambassador Austin’s comments follows:

Over the last several years, the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force has worked diligently with many countries in this region to combat crimes involving money laundering and terrorist financing. Today, I am pleased to renew the United States Government’s support for this important agency.

By stifling the illegal transfer of monies through this region, the Task Force is fighting crime, including corruption, and exploitation. Also, by identifying and freezing the accounts of extremist groups, the Task Force is protecting the region and indeed the world from the malignant intentions of transnational terrorists. The Task Force is fighting a silent battle that often goes unreported; but their actions produce positive results that affect each and every one of us, every day.

For these reasons, on behalf of the Department of State’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Program, I am happy to present this check for $55,000 U.S. dollars to the Task Force.

I know that you will put this money to good use in your struggle to combat the laundering of money gained through illegal pursuits and employed in nefarious activities. I hasten to assure you that every dollar of this contribution has a legitimate origin.