August 15, 2006
HP-60

Treasury Designates Two Syrian Officials

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today named two individuals Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) of Syria pursuant to Executive Order 13338, which is aimed at financially isolating individuals and entities that are directly or significantly contributing to Syria's support for designated terrorist groups, or its military or security presence in Lebanon, or that are acting for or on behalf of other SDNs of Syria.

"For decades, Syria has promoted instability and violence in the Middle East.  Even after its withdrawal from Lebanon last year, Syria continues to choose destabilization and support for violence over peace in the region," said Pat O'Brien, Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing.  "Until Syria takes concrete steps to become a responsible member of the international community, the United States will make known rogue actors supporting the country's destabilizing agenda."

Major General Hisham Ikhtiyar has been designated for significantly contributing to the Syrian Government's support for designated terrorist organizations, including Hizballah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).  During his leadership of the Syrian Government's General Intelligence Directorate (GID), Ikhtiyar directed GID activities that significantly contributed to the Syrian Government's military and security presence in Lebanon. 

Additionally, the Treasury designated today Brigadier General Jama'a Jama'a, who significantly contributed to the Syrian Government's military and security presence in Lebanon while serving as commander at the Syrian Military Intelligence (SMI) headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon.  SMI is the primary entity responsible for coordinating and implementing the Syrian Government's policies in Lebanon.

Today's designation freezes any assets the designees may have located in the United States, and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with these individuals.

Identifying Information

Major General Hisham Ikhtiyar
AKAs:  
Hisham Ahmad al-Ikhtiyar
Hisham al-Ikhtiyar
Hisham al Ikhtiyar
Hisham al Ikhteyar
Hisham Ikhteyar
Hisham Bakhtiyar
Hisham Ichtijar
Hisham Bakhtiar        

Address: 
Maliki, Damascus, Syria

DOB:  
1941    

Ikhtiyar has served as a senior advisor to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad.  Ikhtiyar was the director of the GID from December 2001 until June 2005, when he was appointed by Asad to be director of Syria's Ba'ath Party Regional Command National Security Bureau (NSB). 

As the central civilian intelligence service in Syria, the GID conducts surveillance of the Syrian population at large, directs foreign intelligence, and monitors activities in Lebanon.

The NSB coordinates the work of Syria's intelligence agencies, including the GID.  The primary mission of the NSB is to formulate strategic political and security recommendations for President Asad.

During Ikhtiyar's tenure as GID director, the GID in Lebanon maintained active informant networks and carried out intelligence operations. Also during Ikhtiyar's tenure in 2004, PIJ was in regular contact with Syrian security organizations in order to secure logistical support. The GID under Ikhtiyar is believed to have provided logistical support to the PFLP-GC. 

Brigadier General Jama'a Jama'a
AKAs:  
Jami Jami
Jamea Kamil Jamea
Jama' Jama'
Jam'i Jam'i

DOB:  
16 June 1954

POB:  
Jablah, Zama, Syria             

In his role as commander at SMI's headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Jama'a Jama'a acted for or on behalf of SDN Rustum Ghazali, designated for his role in the Syrian Government's continued support for terrorism and his contribution to the Syrian Government's security and military presence in Lebanon.  Ghazali was head of the SMI in Lebanon from late 2002 until the Syrian withdrawal in April 2005.

Background on Executive Order 13338

President George W. Bush signed E.O. 13338 on May 11, 2004 in response to the Syrian government's continued support of international terrorism, sustained occupation of Lebanon, pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and missile programs and undermining of U.S. and international efforts in Iraq.  Syria's acts threaten the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States.

The Order declared a national emergency with respect to Syria, and authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to block the property of certain persons and directing other U.S. Government agencies to impose a ban on exports to Syria. 

The Treasury may designate individuals and entities found to be or to have been:

• Directing or otherwise significantly contributing to the Government of Syria's provision of safe haven to or other support for any person whose property or interests in property are blocked under United States law for terrorism-related reasons, including, but not limited to, Hamas, Hizballah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, and any persons designated pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001;
• Directing or otherwise significantly contributing to the Government of Syria's military or security presence in Lebanon;
• Directing or otherwise significantly contributing to the Government of Syria's pursuit of the development and production of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons and medium- and long-range surface-to-surface missiles;
• Directing or otherwise significantly contributing to any steps taken by the Government of Syria to undermine United States and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq; or
• Owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

Click the following link for the full text of E.O. 13338: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040511-6.html