German AQ Suspect Refuses to Give Testimony

Nov. 4, 2004 -- Mamoun Darkazanli, one of the 41 members of al Qaeda indicted by Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon, refused to give testimony in the trial of fellow terrorist Mounir el Motassadeq. Darkazanli, a Syrian-German businessman is accused of providing logistical and economic support to the Hamburg al Qaeda cell. His refusal to give evidence against Moatassadeq, who is charged on counts of accessory to murder and membership to a terrorist organization, is a major set back for the trials against terror.

Through out Europe and the Middle East, news of the victory of George W. Bush in the U.S. presidential elections was met with mixed reactions. An article in Al Quds Al Arabi, a London based daily Arabic newspaper, states: "We doubt that [Bush] will learn the lessons from his first term. He will think that the results of the elections mean approval of these policies. And Asharq Al Awsat, another London-based paper, stated that "Arab politicians and experts hoped for Bush to be like Clinton during his second term, dedicating a lot of time to the Palestinian problem to try and leave a mark in history." On the Palestinian issue, an article published in the Egyptian paper Al Gomhureya, says: "We ask that Bush fulfills what he said before —the establishment of two independent countries living next to each other in peace."

INVESTIGATIONS

Germany

An Al Qaeda suspect refused to give evidence Wednesday at the trial of a Moroccan man accused of helping the Sept. 11 hijackers. (AP)

Afghanistan

Afghan Hostage Crisis Intensifies

Militants claiming to hold three U.N. hostages said Thursday that talks on their demands, including the release of Taliban prisoners, had broken down, and they would decide Friday whether to kill the trio. (AP)

Spain

Police on Wednesday arrested a Moroccan and three Algerians in connection with an alleged plot by a radical Islamic cell to blow up a court and other buildings in Spain, officials said. (AP)

Saudi Arabia

Al-Qaeda has named its top leader in Saudi Arabia, a statement pre-recorded and posted on an Islamic website on the Internet has claimed. (Arab News)

Wanted Suspect Arrested

A wanted terror suspect was arrested in the city of Barida Wednesday night, an interior ministry spokesman said today without naming the suspect. (Elaph)

U.S.

Pictures from Abu Ghraib prison tell a story that has shocked the world. There are no pictures of what happened in the prison camp at Guantanamo last year. (CBS)

Systems Not Go for Integrating Terrorism Data

Computer Limits a Problem (Washington Post)

IRAQ NEWS

Soldiers Describe Looting of Explosives

Iraqis piled high-grade material from a key site into trucks in the weeks after Baghdad fell, four U.S. reservists and guardsmen say. (LA Times)

MSF aid agency stops work in Iraq

The aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says it is pulling out of Iraq because of the danger to its staff. (BBC)

Key Saddam trial evidence 'lost'

Human Rights Watch says it is likely crucial evidence for the trials of Saddam Hussein and other former Iraqi officials has been lost or tainted. (BBC)

Three Iraqi guards 'beheaded'

Three Iraqi guardsmen have been beheaded by militants, according to al-Jazeera television.(BBC)

Clue to Attack in Iraq Started With Eyes

A military convoy hobbled by mishaps was the target of a suicide car bomber last week. Eight Marines died, nine were hurt. (LA Times)

ANALYSIS & OPINION

Bush victory consumes Middle East press

The victory of George W Bush in the US election dominates Thursday's Middle East press. In the Arab world and Iran, the mood ranges from scepticism to cynicism.(BBC)

U.S. options in Iraq: Look at history

Perhaps the worst legacy of Saddam Hussein will turn out to be an Iraqi civil war after the coalition forces leave thinking they have pacified the country. (CS Monitor)

Bush Win Disappoints Arabs

Most people in the Middle East, with the exception of Israelis, reacted with resigned disappointment yesterday to George W. Bush winning four more years in power. (Reuters)

New Challenges to Confront Bush in Iraq

It could be a tough next four years in Iraq for President Bush, depending in part on the outcome of a planned U.S. attack on the insurgents' stronghold at Fallujah. Will a renewed U.S. offensive break the back of the insurgency. (AP)

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 Brinda Adhikari of the ABC News Investigative Unit. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ABCNEWS.