Al-Qaeda still spreading, warns UN group

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/02/1070127413318.html

Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network has continued to spread, with Iraq becoming a fertile ground for al-Qaeda supporters while anti-terror responses have been weak, a UN-appointed group said. While the group cited some progress in freezing assets of and banning travels by members of al-Qaeda and the former militants in Afghanistan, the Taliban, it said governments failed to cooperate in providing information regarding those members.

"Without a tougher and more comprehensive resolution - a resolution which obligates states to take mandated measures - the role played by the United Nations in this important battle risks becoming marginalised," the group said in a report.

The group, known as the "Committee on Sanction on al-Qaeda, the Taliban and their associates", was created by the UN Security Council in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States.

The council ordered a freeze of assets and a travel ban on al-Qaeda and Taliban members. The monitoring group has listed 371 names and organisations belonging to al-Qaeda and Taliban and has demanded governments provide information on 272 individuals for the purposes of asset freezing and travel ban. But it said governments had been reluctant to meet the request.
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But... But... That's not what Bush is saying???