Terrorism As An Enterprise

David Aufhauser, Treasury's General Council was the luncheon speaker at ABA's Money Laundering Enforcement Seminar. He referred to the "enterprise of terror" in discussing issues of government enforcement. It is useful to think of terrorism as an enterprise because that is how terrorists approach it.

The core assets of terrorism are stealth and mobility. This is furthered, according to Aufhauser, by modern banking practices and technology. Geography is hardly relevant. In today's world, the borders are defined not by geography but by the financial waterways.

Aufhauser reminded the audience that stopping the money is only part of the problem. We must also learn what terrorists are up to. We use anti-money laundering efforts to identify and uncover plots. Financial books and records are the "diaries of terror."

Copyright © 2002 Compliance Action. Originally appeared in Compliance Action, Vol. 7, No. 14, 12/02