The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

June 3, 2004 -- CIA Director George Tenet resigns amid controversy surrounding intelligence lapses about suspected weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. President Bush announced Tenet's resignation at a press briefing today, saying that Tenet cited "personal reasons" for his departure. Tenet was the second-longest serving director of the CIA, taking office in July of 1997, under the Clinton administration.

And in news from Iraq — Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric, gave his support for the interim government on Thursday. At least two previous plans for the future of Iraq's government had been halted due to his objections. Al-Sistani's endorsement will ease the transition of power because of his influence over Shiites, 60% of the country's 25 million people, writes the Associated Press.

CIA Director ResignsBush: CIA Director George Tenet ResignsCIA Director George Tenet, who weathered storms over intelligence lapses about suspected weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has resigned, President Bush said Thursday. (AP)

President Bush Cites 'Personal Reasons' in Announcement CIA Director George Tenet, who weathered storms over intelligence lapses about suspected weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, has resigned, President Bush said Thursday. (NY Times)

FAQ: George Tenet (AP)

THE WAR IN IRAQ

Cleric Gives Tacit Approval to Iraq Govt.

Respected Shiite cleric gives tacit endorsement to Iraq's interim government. (AP)

Polygraph Testing Starts at Pentagon in Chalabi Inquiry

The tests are focused initially on a small number of Pentagon employees who had access to the compromised information. (NY Times)

Numbers Challenge

U.S. military struggles to maintain adequate troop levels. (ABCNEWS)

INC Official Was Iran's Informant

An Iraqi National Congress (INC) security official who the Americans accused of working for Iranian intelligence has been in Iran for the past two months, according to a former Iranian security official who now lives abroad. The source confirmed that Iran had received the information about the U.S. cracking the code it uses through head of INC Ahmed Chalabi and the mentioned security official. He said the message was delivered directly to Khalil Al Neimy, the head of Iranian intelligence office in Iraq, who was later killed in Baghdad. The source also admitted that Al Neimy made the mistake of communicating the message in the same code, thus revealing the relationship between Chalabi and Iranian intelligence. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Al Jazeera Airs Video of 3 Italian Hostages

The Arabic-language television network Al Jazeera showed video Wednesday of three Italian hostages taken captive in Iraq nearly two months ago. In the video, one of the men said the captors were treating them "excellently." (CNN)

General Detailed Conditions at PrisonThe findings and a Red Cross report show Army learned of problems months before inquiry. (LA Times)

Envoy Bowed to Pressure in Choosing Leaders

U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Thursday the "terrible pressure" he faced in forming Iraq's interim government kept him from seating his preferred candidates for president and prime minister. (Washington Post)

Iraq Resolution Displeases Key Nations

Key Security Council members say they remain dissatisfied with revised U.N. resolution on Iraq. (AP)

THE WAR ON TERROR

INVESTIGATIONS

U.S.

AP: Administration Freed Terror Suspect

AP exclusive: U.S. freed terror suspect suspected of planning attack, internal documents show. (AP)

Stolen Propane Trucks Recovered in WarehouseTwo propane-delivery trucks were found after being stolen from a gas company over the weekend, a theft that raised fears of what could happen if terrorists got hold of the explosive fuel. (LA Times)

Saudi Arabia

Captured Militant in Stable Condition

One of the attackers who was injured and captured after this weekend's Khobar attack is in stable condition, reports the Saudi Okaz newspaper. His name is believed to be Nemr al Bakmy. Statements posted online by a group who claimed responsibility for the attack had claimed he was killed. (Okaz)

Two Terrorists Shot DeadSaudi security forces yesterday gunned down two terror suspects in a gunbattle at Hada near Taif, the Interior Ministry said, linking the pair to the recent attacks in Alkhobar. (Arab News)

Saudis Crack Down On Islamic Charities

Saudi Arabia dissolved several Riyadh-based Islamic charities yesterday after criticism from the U.S. that funds had been channeled to al Qaeda and other militant groups. (The Guardian)

Pakistan

Pakistan May Launch Air Strikes Against Militants in Tribal Area

Pakistani authorities have warned of possible air strikes against foreign al Qaeda-linked militants in the northwestern tribal belt who failed to report for registration (AFP)

France

French Gen'l: U.S. Had Osama Within Reach

U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan had Osama bin Laden "within reach" on at least two occasions, but were unable to prevent him from slipping away, France's top general said Wednesday. (AP)

LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS

U.K.

Muslim Cleric Faces U.K. Extradition Hearing

A radical Muslim cleric who faces charges in the United States of supporting al Qaeda will appear in a London court on Thursday to face an American extradition request. (Reuters)

U.S.

Suit Says U.S. Withheld Detainee Records

The Bush administration has illegally withheld records about the treatment of detainees and prisoners held overseas since the Sept. 11 attacks, watchdog groups charged Wednesday. (AP)

Kenya

Kenyan Terror Trial Resumes

The trial of four Kenyan men charged with murder for their alleged roles in an al Qaeda attack on Israeli tourists resumed on Wednesday. (News 24)

AustraliaTough Anti-Terror Bail Laws Pass NSW Parliament

Tougher bail laws for terrorist suspects are set to become law in NSW after being passed by the upper house. (Sydney Morning Herald)

ON THE WEB

Group Claims Attack on U.S. Soldiers in Saudi Arabia

A statement posted online and signed by "al Qaeda organization in the Arab's Peninsula" claimed that "mujaheddin from the Fallujah Brigade" ambushed a group of American soldiers in Riyadh Wednesday killing two and injuring a third. The statement said the soldiers worked at Sultan military base and were driving civilian cars. (ABCNEWS Investigative Unit)

ANALYSIS & OPINION

Chalabi Pals' GroupthinkBush administration officials ignored the many warning signs surrounding the Iraqi exile leader. (LA Times)

Engagement and Apathy

If most Iraqis appear so exhausted by the daily grind in their lives, evincing seemingly little interest last week in the choice of their new prime minister-designate and interim government, paying heed more to keeping private generators humming, lining up for hours at gas pumps to fill up their tanks, and struggling to put food on the table in a country with a shattered economy, take heart. (Arab News)

Sadr Seen as Voice of PoorDevoted following to young cleric springs from poverty and patriotism. (Washington Post)

Padilla Case Presents Dilemma Of Law Vs. Security

White House awaits ruling on holding terror suspect without legal counsel. (USA Today)

Al Qaeda's Small Victories Add Up

There is daily, violent evidence that the American invasion of Iraq has bred a mix of Iraqi Islamists and foreign volunteers that is a growing threat. (NY Times)

The Insider Daily Terrorism Report (DTR) is a summary of major news articles and broadcasts relating to international terrorism and the war in Iraq. The DTR is edited from foreign and U.S. sources by Chris Isham, Hoda Osman, and Brinda Adhikari of the ABCNEWS Investigative Unit. The outside views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ABCNEWS.