Saudi Arabia: Terrorist Financing Issues

According to the U.S. State Department 2007 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Saudi donors and unregulated charities have been a major source of financing to extremist and terrorist groups over the past 25 years. The September 11 2001 attacks fueled criticisms within the United States of alleged Saudi involvement in terrorism or of Saudi laxity in acting against terrorist groups. The final report released by the bipartisan National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States the 911 Commission indicates that the Commission found no evidence that the Saudi government as an institution or senior Saudi officials individually funded Al Qaeda. The report also states, however, that Saudi Arabia was a place where Al Qaeda raised money directly from individuals and through charities and indicates that charities with significant Saudi government sponsorship may have diverted funding to Al Qaeda. U.S. officials remain concerned that Saudis continue to fund Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.