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Senior Pakistani Official: 'OBL Not on Pak-Afghan Border'
The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report
By THE ABCNEWS INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
Oct. 20, 2004
There is no sign of Osama bin Laden in the mountainous Pakistani area on the borders with Afghanistan, the top military commander in northwest Pakistan said. In an unusually detailed briefing, Lt. Gen. Safdar Hussain said if bin Laden was there, Pakistani officials would know it. "He cannot hide there. He is not there," Hussain told reporters in Peshawar city late Tuesday.
Most intelligence analysts have long believed that bin Laden was hiding in the tribal region along the borders between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In the absence of any real evidence about his whereabouts however, such statements are often considered speculation.
Last week, the Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that bin Laden was in China near the borders with Pakistan. British journalist Gordon Thomas wrote that bin Laden made an agreement with Chinese authorities to stop guerrilla war by Chinese Muslims against the government. Beijing however has denied this was true.
THE WAR ON TERROR
INVESTIGATIONS
China
Beijing Denies Osama Bin Laden is in China?
Osama Bin Laden is hiding in Chinese territory near the Pakistan border, British journalist Gordon Thomas wrote in Spanish newspaper El Mundo on October 13. Thomas wrote that Bin Laden made an agreement with Chinese authorities to stop guerrilla war by Chinese Muslims against the government. (The Daily Times)
Pakistan
No Sign of Bin Laden in Border Region
Pakistani security forces have found no sign of Osama bin Laden hiding in a mountainous region bordering Afghanistan and suspect the terrorist leader may not be there, the top military commander in the area said. (AP)
Saudi Arabia
Saudis Arrest Gunman Disguised As Woman
Saudi security forces arrested a suspected militant disguised as a woman and armed with a machine gun, hand grenades and pistols, an official said on Tuesday. (Reuters)
U.K.
FBI Snared Me in Terrorist Missile Deal, Says Briton
A British businessman facing 15 years in a US jail for plotting to smuggle surface-to-air missiles claims that he was trapped by FBI and Russian agents. (The Times)
Spain
Video of Madrid Train Attacks Released by Police
Spanish television stations and Web sites carried graphic video on Tuesday showing the blasts that ripped apart one of the commuter trains during the terror attacks in Madrid on March 11. (NY Times)
United States
U.S. Identifies 39 Groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Secretary of State Colin Powell has designated 39 groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, according to a Department of State fact sheet released October 19. (U.S. State Department)
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS
Pakistan
Pakistan Toughens Anti-Terrorism Law
In an attempt to put extra pressure on terrorists, Pakistan has toughened its anti-terrorism law and increased the maximum jail term for supporters of militants from 14 years to life, officials said yesterday. (Agencies)
IRAQ NEWS
Reservist Pleads Guilty in Abu Ghraib Case
U.S. Army reservist Staff Sgt. Ivan "Chip" Frederick pleaded guilty Wednesday to five charges of abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison as a two-day court-martial opened at a U.S. base in Baghdad. (Washington Post)
