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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 16, 2007 Fugitive criticizes portrayal in book Seda says his decades of work, volunteerism 'speak for itself'; author stands by his writing By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune International fugitive Pete Seda is refuting claims from a former employee that his Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation chapter in Ashland sympathized with terrorists or was a haven for radical Islamic views. In an e-mail Wednesday to the Ashland Daily Tidings, Seda claims that Daveed Gartenstein-Ross' new book, "My Year Inside Radical Islam," contains untruths that damage his reputation and incorrectly label him as having connections to terrorism. The e-mail attributed to Seda also denies charges in a federal indictment that he helped a fellow charity director, a Saudi Arabian national named Soliman Al-Buthe, smuggle about $150,000 out of the United States in 2000 to fund Muslim rebels fighting Russians in Chechnya. "Until now, I have not been able to speak in my defense against the government's false accusations against me, which sadly Daveed helped them build," the e-mail states. "My decades of work, volunteerism and community activism speak for itself. I do, however, have strong hopes that the people in the Rogue Valley, whom I lived and worked amongst for over 30 years, know my true character and that I sincerely stand for peace, justice and moderation." Larry Matasar, Seda's attorney in Portland, verified the e-mail's authenticity. Advertisement "This is Pete's response," Matasar told the Mail Tribune. "It's his feelings and views." Gartenstein-Ross' book paints the Seda-led chapter as a haven for the same radical Islamic teachings espoused by some global terrorists. The U.S. government has labeled the Al-Haramain chapter and Al-Buthe as supporters of terrorism, but Seda has so far sidestepped that designation. Seda, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is believed to be in his native Iran. Seda's e-mail states that he believes the Bush administration helped Gartenstein-Ross' book by providing some information detailed in it. Seda wrote that the Bush administration has "demonized" Islamic charities and benefits from Gartenstein-Ross' portrayals. In a Mail Tribune interview Thursday, Gartenstein-Ross said Seda's claims that his book was inaccurate or somehow aided by the Bush administration were "unequivocally false." The rest of the e-mail, he said, was "fairly unremarkable" and that Seda's friendship with Gartenstein-Ross and his family were true. "I don't dispute that there's a good side of Pete," Gartenstein-Ross said. But Gartenstein-Ross said he believes it is important that Seda acknowledge the "hateful and destructive teachings" prevalent at Al-Haramain. The e-mail attributed to Seda begins with some of the exact language attributed to Al-Buthe in an e-mail last week disputing claims in the book. Gartenstein-Ross said he did not dispute the authenticity of the e-mail, but he said that someone likely edited it for Seda, whom Gartenstein-Ross described as a notoriously poor writer. Matasar said it was "inappropriate" for him to comment on whether Seda's e-mail was edited. He also declined to discuss how and where he obtained it. Seda's e-mail concludes that he has been through some "very hairy situations" since he left the United States in 2003 and still hopes to return to Ashland. "Pete left the U.S. but the U.S. never left Pete," the e-mail states. "My home is there with you ... I am greyer, older, and hopefully wiser. I must admit, I do still have big ambitions and plans." To see the full text of the e-mail attributed to Seda, visit " target="_blank">www.dailytidings.com. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 776-4470, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help