U.S. nabs al-Qaida Web site producer

Propaganda site was unusually quiet during weekend referendum

The Web site run by al-Qaida in Iraq was strangely quiet
during the referendum on the new Iraqi constitution. There were no threats
against voters, no boasts of disrupting the vote.

And now we know one reason why. A top propaganda agent for al-Qaida in Iraq,
known as Abu Dijana, was captured shortly before the vote, according to the
U.S. military. Abu Dijana was responsible for much of what has appeared on
the Web site called "al-Qaida in Iraq," including provocative videos of
suicide bombings and crucial communications to al-Qaida fighters.

Here is how the al-Qaida Web site works: On any given day in Baghdad,
Baquba, or any of a dozen cities, a suicide car bomb explodes. The target is
an American convoy, local Iraqi police or perhaps civilians exiting a
mosque. Within minutes, a report is sent out by news services like The
Associated Press and MSNBC.com. But, the news also circulates on a
fascinating and, some would say, disturbing Web site operated by al-Qaida.

The "al-Qaida in Iraq" Web site immediately takes "credit" for the bombing.
In one typical case, just three hours after an attack, the site showed video
of a man identified as the suicide bomber Abu Musab al-Iraqi, who says, "I
have dreamed about this moment. I am sure if my family is watching this they
will be more proud of me."

Musab's words are followed by a video of a car he is said to be driving,
blowing up in the midst of an American convoy. The incident is replayed
again and again with more of Musab's speech superimposed over the ball of
flames and smoke rising above the U.S. convoy. "Thank God this day I went to
kill many crusaders." His declaration ends, "Today I will be in heaven."

Among propagandist Abu Dijana's responsibilities, say his American captors,
was to gather information of impending attacks and provide equipment to his
cell members to record attacks. Afterward, Dijana collected the photographs
and video for distribution through the "al-Qaida in Iraq" Web site.