Saleh, Padilla, Elbaneh and Abu al Feda
Gulf news: In June, Abu Al Feda a/k/a/ Rashad Mohammad Saeed a/k/a Abul Fida’a negotiates directly with Yemeni President Saleh and Ghalib al-Qamish, the head of the PSO, who promise not to restrict the movements of released al-Qaeda in exchange for no attacks in Yemen.
He pointed out to promises from authorities to solve the problems facing him and his colleagues after their release. So far, the Yemeni authorities say they have released about 315 Al Qaida suspects for lack of evidence against them.
“It was also agreed to cancel measures imposed on those who are released, like house arrest, the monthly signing of official register and taking permission if you wish to go another province in Yemen,” he said. “The youth should be allowed to travel wherever they wish in the country and outside the country if they get visas like normal citizens.”
He also said those who lost their jobs because of imprisonment would be returned to their jobs. “I and my brotherly youth will be committed not to do anything that may undermine the security or damage the public interests of society,” he said.
News Yemen describes Abu al Feda as a major figure in Al-Qaeda and former Taliban leader: In October, Abu al Feda affirms the truce is still holding: “The Yemeni government will not enter open confrontations with Mujahideen after the incident”. He said that Yemen was the best country to deal with Mujahideen (combatants) when it has adopted the dialogue method.
In 2000, Abu al Feda sponsors Jose Padilla for training in Afghanistan. The form used is identical to that filled out by the Lackawanna crew in 2001 including Gaber Albanna who of course is currently in the wind.
Prosecutors say the sponsor listed on the form, Abu Al Feda, is the same name on a piece of paper Padilla had when he returned to the United States.
Prosecutors also say a cooperating witness who went to an al Qaeda camp will testify that he filled out an identical form.
CNN has learned that witness is Yahya Goba, one of the so-called Lackawanna Six, the group of six Yemeni-American men who spent the summer of 2001 in al Qaeda camps and are now serving seven to 10 years in prison for providing material support for a terrorist organization.
A seventh man who went with the group, Jaber Elbaneh, was among a group of terrorist suspects who escaped from a Yemeni jail two weeks ago.
Informed sources note that Abu al Feda is working officially in the PSO as colonel, has direct contact with the president, and has significant authority among the Jihadist groups. That’s pretty much what the news articles say as well.
Padilla’s trial is scheduled to begin January 22, 2007. (Read on …)


