Iraqi Tribes Assist in Arresting Zarqawi's Foreign Fighters
IRAQ NEWS
270 Foreign Fighters Arrested With Help by Al Anbar Tribes
The campaign against Abu Musaab al Zarqawi's al Qaeda in Iraq and its supporters continues for the second day in al Anbar. According to the head of Al Karabla tribes in al Qa'em it resulted in the arrest of 270 Arab and foreign "infiltrators" were arrested along with Iraqis who have helped them. Sheikh Osama al Jad'an told al Hayat they were determined to free al Ramadi from the "terrorist elements." An army officer told the paper that most of those who were arrested were Jordanians, Saudis and Syrians and they were transferred to Baghdad for interrogations. Meanwhile, Iraqi forces supported by the tribes have continued their campaign against the same group in al Ramadi, arresting 200 so far. The tribal leaders in al Anbar are preparing for a dialogue with the government and the multi-coalition forces next week. (Al Hayat)
German Hostages on Al Jazeera
Arabic television network Al-Jazeera television has broadcast a video showing two Germans kidnapped in Baiji this week. (CNN)
U.S. Rebuilding in Iraq Found to Fall Short
Because of unforeseen security costs, haphazard planning and shifting priorities, the American-financed reconstruction program in Iraq will not complete scores of projects that were promised to help rebuild the country, a federal oversight agency reported yesterday. (NY Times)
Iraq Minister Escapes Bomb Attack
Iraqi Industry Minister Osama al-Najafi escaped a bomb attack on his convoy north of Baghdad, but three of his bodyguards were killed, officials said. (BBC)
Planted Articles May Be Violation
A 2003 Pentagon directive appears to bar a military program that pays Iraqi media to print favorable stories. (LA Times)
INVESTIGATIONS
U.S./Mexico Tunnel
2 Tons of Pot Found in Border Tunnel
Authorities Find More Than 2 Tons of Marijuana in a Tunnel Under the Mexico-U.S. Border. (AP)
CIA's Rendition Program
EU Inquiry May Call Cheney
Cheney and Rumsfeld may be invited to appear before parliamentary committee investigating rendition flights. (The Guardian)
U.S.
U.S. Posts Wrong Photo of 'Al Qaeda Operative'
After year and a half, wrong man's photo removed from wanted page. (NBC)
Russia
NGOs Say Russian Spy Claim Is Soviet-Style Smear
Russian human rights groups said on Friday Kremlin allegations that they are funded by British spies revived painful memories of Soviet-era smear campaigns. (Reuters)
Pakistan
Benazir Bhutto Sought on Corruption Charges
Interpol issues notices at Pakistan's request seeking arrest of former PM and her husband on corruption charges. (AP)
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS
Lawyers Resort to Insanity Plea for Moussaoui
Lawyers for Zacarias Moussaoui, the French al-Qaeda member who confessed his role in the September 11 attacks, plan to argue their client is mentally ill and the product of a troubled family in a bid to spare him the death penalty, according to court papers. (AFP)
Reporters' Information Sought
Leak Case Files Could Be Key to Libby Defense, Lawyers Say. (Washington Post)
ANALYSIS & OPINION
Can Lying Serve National Interest?
History shows presidents will lie if they think honesty will put America at risk. (CS Monitor)
Taking No Legal Prisoners
Waging the "war on terror", we are told, requires a new paradigm that supersedes international law. Thus, those caught in the war's dragnet are "illegal combatants" and as such are not protected by the Geneva Conventions. But such verbiage ignores the overall purpose of the conventions as well as specific articles that don't suit the Bush administration. (Asia Times)
What's Next for Iran?
Talks and More Talks. (ABC News)
Iran's Nukes Are A Non-Issue
Why is pressure being mounted against Iran when there is nothing to be done to prevent Iran's government from continuing along its present course of nuclear development? (International Herald Tribune)
Don't Go Wobbly On Tehran
'It is not on the table. It is not on the agenda. I happen to think it is inconceivable." That was the British foreign secretary, Jack Straw, in September, telling the BBC what he thinks about the use of military force to prevent Iran's homicidal theocrats from acquiring nuclear weapons. (Boston Globe)
The Insider Daily Investigative Report (DIR) is a summary of major news articles and broadcasts relating to investigative news, including international terrorism and developments in Iraq. The DIR is edited daily from foreign and U.S. sources by Chris Isham, Hoda Osman and Ellen Gustafson of the ABC News Investigative Unit. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ABCNEWS.