January 16, 2008
Ex-Congressman Indicted For Funding Terrorism
Mark Deli Siljander, a former Republican congressman from Michigan, has been indicted for his alleged role in a terrorist funding ring.
Siljander served in the House from 1981 to 1987, after which he was named a U.S. representative to the U.N. by President Reagan. Siljander, 57, showed a special interest in U.S.-Islamic relations, and went on to take an advisory post at the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies. He's also lectured on the subject for his Washington-based consulting firm, Global Strategies, Inc., according to its Web site.
AP reports that the 42-count indictment leveled against the Islamic American Relief Agency accuses the charity of funneling more than $130,000 to an al-Qaida/Taliban sympathizer who has threatened international troops in Afghanistan. According to the charges, Siljander was paid $50,000 -- stolen from USAID -- to lobby for IARA.
According to a DOJ press release, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, an Afghan mujahedeen leader, was the recipient of IARA's alleged scheme. Hekmatyar's organization, Hezb-e-Islami-Gulbuddin, is accused of engaging in terrorist acts with al-Qaida and the Taliban.
