The Ambassador of the United States (U.S.) in Panama, John Feeley, yesterday justified the inclusion of the companies of Group Waked in the Clinton list.
In a statement read to the media, Feeley said that the inclusions are based on extensive investigations that have taken more than one decade through which the U.S. made a thorough review of information from more than seven units of the American Government.
He stresses that "we verify our data. We look at the evidence. We confirm that Group Waked was involved in laundering money in several countries".
He adds that for years, Nidal Waked, Abdul Waked and their "accomplices" abused the financial system in both the US and Panama.
In addition, he indicates that they led an organization that has laundered money from drug trafficking.
"These monies came from suitcases full of cash, falsification of invoices and other methods of money laundering in favor of multiple international drug trafficking organizations that are among the most unscrupulous and sophisticated in the world," says the statement.
Feeley said that for all of these reasons, the US has included them in the Clinton list. In addition, by judicial proceedings, this country, has accused Nidal Waked as one of the most important drug traffickers and major money launderer in the world.
License
The Ambassador announced that a license to ensure that newspapers La Estrella de Panama and El Siglo could keep operating was granted. He clarifies that this decision was made motivated by the deep respect for the journalistic integrity and the commitment with the protection to freedom of speech.
He added that the United States Treasury Department granted licenses to Balboa Bank & Trust its broker-dealer house Balboa Securities, which are included in the Clinton list, as part of the so-called Waked Money Laundering Organization (Waked MLO).
This license will enable these entities to operate until June 14, 2016.
"A license means that American citizens can continue to do normal business with the designated entity," he said.
Wisa
For its part, the Wisa Group yesterday reiterated its willingness to cooperate with the authorities to clarify the confusion that has arisen from the investigations by Department of the Treasury.
Wisa expressed concern for the thousands of employees who have worked at their companies and hopes that the Government will care for them for many years.
Meanwhile, the Government indicated that the new licenses granted by US to the Waked will enable them to seek alternatives that may safeguard the jobs.
