The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

May 4 -- The focus continues on allegations surrounding American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners — the senior U.S. commander in Iraq has ordered the first punishments for the individuals accused of committing the abuses, issuing letters of reprimand for six and a milder letter of admonishment for a seventh accused. And the Los Angeles Times looks at the issue of the civilian contractors also involved in the alleged abuses — three civilian employees have yet to face any disciplinary action, their employers said Monday, raising within the Pentagon the issue of accountability for thousands of private contractors in Iraq.

And the Turkish news agency Anatolia reports that a court in northwestern Turkey on Monday charged nine suspects, believed to be linked to the al Qaeda network, in connection with plans to bomb a NATO summit in Istanbul next month. The Turkish government over the weekend had apprehended 16 suspects in connection with the foiled attack.

THE WAR IN IRAQ

Army Punishes 7 with Reprimands for Prison AbuseThe senior American commander in Iraq has ordered the first punishments in the abuse of prisoners by American soldiers there, issuing severe reprimands to six who served in supervisory positions at Abu Ghraib prison and a milder "letter of admonishment" to a seventh. (NY Times)

In U.S., Seeking to Limit DamageThe Bush administration is struggling to develop a damage-control strategy to counter the mounting global backlash against the United States after revelations that U.S. military and intelligence personnel abused Iraqi prisoners, according to U.S. officials. (Washington Post)

Contractors Fall Through Legal CracksThree civilian employees who allegedly participated in the abuse of Iraqi prisoners have yet to face any disciplinary action, their employers said Monday, raising within the Pentagon the issue of accountability for thousands of private contractors in Iraq. (LA Times)

CACI Wants to Review Report On Alleged AbuseCACI International Inc. said yesterday that an outside law firm will conduct its investigation of its employees' conduct in Iraq and review its operations around the world. (Washington Post)

British Minister to Speak On Iraq PhotosThe armed forces minister is to make a statement to MPs over photos apparently showing UK troops abusing an Iraqi. (BBC)