While marking the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on Tuesday, Secretary Geithner met with the staff of Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI) - a department that has played an instrumental role in dismantling al-Qaida’s ability to secure steady financing since the office was created in 2004.
In thanking TFI staff for their work fighting terrorism and illicit activity around the world, Secretary Geithner said that their “work in the government is keeping the American people safe." Secretary Geithner also noted that through the work of TFI, Treasury has become an integral part of the U.S. national security architecture and has expanded the options available to the President to respond to a wide range of threats. Terrorists rely on financial support, and the work of TFI is key to stopping them from growing their networks and carrying out attacks.
Under Secretary David S. Cohen also expressed his strong appreciation for his staff and thanked them for their effectiveness. Noting that he felt privileged to lead TFI, he expressed that his staff’s quality of work, creativity, and persistence have helped combat a wide range of serious threats and have changed the landscape terrorists face today.
Hagar Hajjar Chemali is the Acting Spokesperson for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
