This special report provides a summary of media reporting surrounding the murder of Paul Johnson by Al Qaeda militants, the killing of Abdel Aziz al-Muqrin and members of his terrorist cell and related reports.

Also see:
Terrorism Update - June 18, 2004

EXPAT PAUL JOHNSON KILLED

Paul Johnson, U.S. Worker Kidnapped in Saudi Arabia, Beheaded
Paul Johnson Jr., a Lockheed Martin Corp. engineer abducted in Saudi Arabia, has been beheaded, images posted on the Internet showed.. 

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Acting on Threat, Saudi Militant Group Kills Captive American
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/19/international/middleeast/19SAUD.html 

Al Qaeda Claims It Beheaded American Engineer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52166-2004Jun18.html 

President Bush Condemns Murder of Paul Johnson
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040618-5.html

Saudis Seek American's Body as Militants Vow More Terror
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/21/international/middleeast/21saud.html?hp 

SAUDI ARABIA VS. AL QAEDA

Abdullah Tells Terrorists to Give Up or Go Muqrin's Way

RIYADH, 21 June 2004 - Crown Prince Abdullah said there would be no letup in the campaign to uproot terrorism before a massive search operation for more fugitive terrorists and the body of an American hostage beheaded by Al-Qaeda got under way here.

Security officers backed by armored vehicles and helicopters yesterday closed off three neighborhoods in the capital in a pre-dawn offensive to recover the body of Paul M. Johnson and to catch more Al-Qaeda sympathizers.

Helicopters hovered over several districts and a few suburbs of the capital, eyewitnesses said. The areas searched included Al-Malaz district, the site of a gunbattle on Friday that ended with the death of Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin, the mastermind of Paul Johnson kidnapping, and three other members of his cell.

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Al Qaeda terror riles Saudi public

The kidnapping and beheading of American Paul Johnson Jr. marks a turning point in Saudi public opinion against his Al Qaeda slayers.

Celebrations broke out at the news Friday night that Abdelaziz al-Miqrin, the man responsible for Johnson's death, had been killed. It was the first time in the kingdom's 13-month fight against terrorism that ordinary citizens expressed spontaneous joy at security forces' success.

"Whatever their disagreements with the United States, however much they are against US support for Israel or the war in Iraq, Saudis feel that Americans and foreigners in general should be able to feel safe in the kingdom," says Turki al-Dakheel, who hosts a show on the Al Arabiya network.

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Saudi militant 'dies' in shootout
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3820933.stm 

4 Killed After Hostage's Death Are Called Saudi Cell's Leaders
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/20/international/middleeast/20SAUD.html

Profile: Al-Muqrin a hardened killer
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/06/20/almuqrin.profile.reut/ 

Saudi Builds a Reputation as Leader of Terror Cell
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50657-2004Jun17.html

Riyadh Gas Station Attendant Gives Details of Friday's Shootout
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=47129&d=21&m=6&y=2004 

The Wahhabi war against 'infidels' and flowers
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id=5381

Saudi Says Top Al Qaeda Leader Muqrin Killed
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53086-2004Jun18.html?nav=headlines 

Is Al Qaeda Winning in Saudi Arabia?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A48401-2004Jun17.html

Saudi hunt for militants hots up
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3824301.stm

Home Surrounded in Saudi Militant Search
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55829-2004Jun20.html

Triumph and trepidation in Saudi press
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3823489.stm 

US-SAUDI RELATIONS

Analysis: Saudi blow to US plans
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3766949.stm 

Saudi expats' shock at beheading
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3823007.stm 

Saudis show slain al-Qaeda chief
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3821153.stm

OIC Condemns Johnson's Murder
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1&section=0&article=47118&d=21&m=6&y=2004

Saudis Say They Want Americans to Stay
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=5B310E3D-271A-4D83-A6CBB864466B2FD4 

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