Oct. 8, 2002 - Arrested ALF head says transferred funds from Iraq to terrorists families
By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF
Rakad Salem, the head of the pro-Iraqi Arab Liberation Front in Ramallah, who was arrested by the Shin Bet security service Wednesday, was quoted on Tuesday by Israel Radio as saying he had recieved some 15 million dollars from Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
When questioned, the radio said, Salem said his organization had received the funds from Saddam's administration to dispense to the families of terrorists. According to the report, a Palestinian family with one son killed in terrorist activity would receive some 10,000 dollars, while a family with one son only wounded in such activity would receive about 1,000 dollars.
Salem reportedly told his interrogators the Iraqi funds were transferred from an Iraqi account to a bank in Amman, and from there to an account in a Ramallah bank.
He was further quoted as saying the leaders of the Palestinian Authority knew of the funds being transferred to the families of terrorists.
Over a month ago, security officials arrested a three-man cell in Ramallah affiliated with the ALF whose members underwent al-Qaida military training in Iraq and planned to attack Ben Gurion Airport, fire RPGs at vehicles on Israeli highways, and collect intelligence to be sent to the front's headquarters in Baghdad. The three were arrested upon their return to Israel.
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