More on US Shutdown of Somalia's Telecommunications Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit source - "Marpessa Kupendua" originally from Sons of Afrika E-List Friday, 23 November, 2001, 13:02 GMT US shuts down Somalia internet Somalia's only internet company and a key telecoms company have been forced to close because the United States suspects them of terrorist links. The two firms, Somalia Internet Company and al-Barakaat, both appear on a US list of organisations accused of funnelling money to the al-Qaeda network. Both companies have stated categorically they they are not linked to terrorists. The US believes the two companies also support Bin Laden "I would say it is very depressing and if I could find any stronger word than that I would say it" - BBC correspondent Hassan Barise Along with denying all internet access to Somalis, the closures have severely restricted international telephone lines and shut down vitally needed money transfer facilities. Correspondents say the closure of the companies will have a devastating effect on the country, which desperately needs the services they provide. Desperation The BBC's Hassan Barise in Mogadishu said more than 80% of Somalis depend on money they receive from relatives outside the country. Thousands of Somalis depend on al-Barakaat's services He said all internet cafes have now shut down and international phone lines run by two other companies are failing to cope with the extra pressure of calls. He also pointed out that the United Nations, local and international aid agencies, as well as the government itself all relied heavily on internet access, now denied. "I would say it is very depressing and if I could find any stronger word than that I would say it," he said. He added the impact would be felt even more strongly because the cuts have come during the holy month of Ramadan. Shutdown On 7 November, the Bush administration released the list of 62 organisations and individuals accused of financial links with Osama Bin Laden. Reports say the Somali Internet Company was forced to close when it realised that its international gateway had been cut off. The international phone service is suffering Al-Barakaat, Somalia's largest company with interests in telecommunications, banking and postal services, closed its financial businesses after its assets were frozen. Its international telephone service was then shut down when its international gateway - run jointly by AT&T and British Telecom - was also cut off. The company, which has 600 shareholders, is the largest employer in Somalia. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Somalis depend on it to transfer money throughout the world. Somalis living abroad use it to send money to their relatives back home as there are no other banking systems in Somalia since the downfall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991. Somalia's prime minister has issued a decree appointing a special committee to investigate al-Barakaat, as well as all other remittance companies. * THERE ARE OVER 5,000 SOMALIS LIVING IN BOSTON MASSACHUSETTS All of whom were greatly effected with the move to shut down al Barakkat in Boston's Black Community of Dorchester. They were all afriad to speak out for being labelled a "TERRORIST." They went to Boston City Councilor for (mostly Black) Roxbury Section of The City and met with him at least once on this matter. For info, please contact the office of Boston City Councilor Charles (Chuck) Turner tel: 617-635-3510 e-mail: Charles.Turner@ci.boston.ma.us, or: sonsofafrika@nubonyx.com or: The Black Community Information Center of Boston Tel: 617-445-3098 Exec. Dir. Bro. Sadiki Kambon hamisi@earthlink.net WHO'S GONNA BE NEXT YO ! If we sit back and let forces who STOLE the U.S. Government in November 2000 steal freedom under the pretense of fighting "Terrorists," WE ALL LOSE ! sons of afrika http://www.sonsofafrika.org ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytaf-11.25.01-19:10:12-26493