Insider 01/04/05: Holding Suspects

Jan. 4, 2005 -- U.S. administration officials are preparing long-range plans for indefinitely imprisoning suspected terrorists whom they do not want to set free or turn over to courts in the United States or other countries, according to intelligence, defense and diplomatic officials, the Washington Post reports today. And Sunday's New York Times magazine takes a look at the fledgling Arab news network Al Arabiya: news director Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed is trying to turn Al Arabiya into a new kind of Arab news channel, with fewer hostage tapes and more moderate voices. But that's hard to do when his employees aren't sure they want to change, American troops occasionally arrest his reporters and his anchors get personalized death threats from Iraqi insurgents.

Long-Term Plan Sought For Terror Suspects

Administration officials are preparing long-range plans for indefinitely imprisoning suspected terrorists whom they do not want to set free or turn over to courts in the United States or other countries, according to intelligence, defense and diplomatic officials. (Washington Post)

FBI, DHS Report Details Al Qaeda Surveillance of Targeted Buildings

A new government intelligence bulletin describes in the greatest detail yet al Qaeda's techniques for assessing potential targets, extolling the lethal power of flying, shattered building glass and advising that kerosene and tires are effective for a deadly arson attack. (AP)

Gonzales Torture Memo Controversy Builds

Attorney General nominee Alberto Gonzales' confirmation hearing this week may become more contentious because the White House has refused to provide copies of his memos on the questioning of terror suspects. (AP)

Kuwait Detains Soldiers for Plot Against U.S. Forces

Kuwaiti security forces have detained up to eight Kuwaiti soldiers suspected of plotting to attack U.S. forces in the Gulf Arab state, a security source said Monday. (Reuters)

Saudi Terrorists Identified

Saudi authorities Monday identified the third terrorist who attacked the interior ministry last week as a Saudi national belonging to al Qaeda. The Arab newspapers Asharq Al Awsat and Al Hayat had reported that one of the militants killed was the actual leader of the al Qaeda cells in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, a Yemeni called Ibrahim Ahmed Al Rimy, who was not on the list of 26 most wanted. Al Hayat says he had a close relationship with al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and was responsible for communications between him and the terror cells in Saudi Arabia. (UPI)

Terror Cell Members Arrested in Jordan

A cell which planned attacks on the intelligence building in the northern Jordanian city of Erbid was uncovered by Jordanian authorities and its 17 members arrested according to local press reports. It was led by Abd Shehada Al Tahawi, who's close to the Jordanian terror chief Abu Musaab Al Zarqawi. Al Tahawi had recruited the cell members to join al Zarqawi in Iraq and carry out attacks against U.S. forces. They changed their mind however and decided to attack the intelligence building, a hotel with Israeli tourists and members of an American band that participated in the Jarash festival. (Al Bayan)

Fresh Details Emerge On Harsh Methods at Guantánamo

Sometime after Mohamed al-Kahtani was imprisoned at Guantánamo around the beginning of 2003, military officials believed they had a prize on their hands — someone who was perhaps intended to have been a hijacker in the Sept. 11 plot. (NY Times)

Guantanamo Briton 'in Handcuff Torture'

British Guantanamo detainee alleges he was suspended by his wrists as punishment for reciting the Koran while in U.S. military custody. (Guardian)

Two Turks Suspects Extradited
Pakistan on Sunday extradited two Turks suspected of links to al Qaeda who were immediately arrested and charged by Turkish authorities. (Pakistan News Service)