For the Record - Dec. 7, 2004

Al Qaeda -- A Nov. 30 commentary about Al Qaeda said that, according to Northeastern University professor Nikos Passas, Al Qaeda never used hawalas to move money. Although Al Qaeda did not use hawalas in the 9/11 attack, it did use them in Afghanistan. Passas was also cited as saying there was “no evidence” that Al Qaeda traded in conflict diamonds; in fact, there is no evidence that the group succeeded or profited significantly in that trade.