Clinton Freezes Terrorists’ Cash

Eager to show resolve after the latest Middle East bombing, President Clinton Tuesday ordered a freeze on the U.S. assets of 12 groups and 18 individuals linked to international terrorism, and banned contributions to them.

The freeze, part of a broader anti-terrorism program also announced Tuesday, is intended to make it harder for such groups as Hamas, the Islamic Jihad and the Abu Nidal organization to raise huge sums in the United States to fund their overseas activities. Federal officials Tuesday sent 5,000 banks and other lenders the names of the individuals and groups, to prevent them from moving their money.

“This will essentially sever the lifeline that keeps these organizations going, we hope,” said a senior official.