Online NewsHour: The Riyadh Bombings

			July 3, 2003, 3:54pm EDT Key Riyadh Bombing Suspect Killed in Firefight Update: The top al-Qaida official sought by Saudi Arabia for his role in the May suicide attacks in the Saudi capital was killed in a gun battle as police moved in to arrest him. According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, Turki Nasser al-Dandani and at least four other militants died during a five-hour standoff with Saudi police.



	May 28, 2003, 12:44pm EDT Saudi Arabia Arrests At Least Five Linked to Bombings Update: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have arrested at least five men allegedly involved in the May 12 suicide bombings in Riyadh, the Saudi interior minister announced Wednesday. Witnesses and unnamed Saudi officials say at least three suspected al-Qaida members were arrested in Medina, including the alleged mastermind of the Riyadh bombings. May 16, 2003, 5:23pm EDT Saudi Arabian Officials Pledge to "Do Whatever it Takes" to Combat Terrorism Amid criticism that Saudi officials ignored warnings of an imminent terrorist attack, President Bush said on Friday that the two nations are cooperating in the investigation of the suicide bombings that killed 34 people in Riyadh on Monday. Margaret Warner and guests discuss the impact of the attack and the Saudi response. May 14, 2003, 6:20pm EDT U.S. Sought Security Improvements Prior to Attacks Update: The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh asked the Saudi government for additional security to protect American residents in the days before the May 12 bombing but the request was denied, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia said Wednesday. May 13, 2003, 10:20pm EDT Attacks Heighten Security, Unease in Riyadh and Washington Three nearly simultaneous suicide bombings hit residential housing complexes in the Saudi Arabian capital where many foreigners live, killing at least 20 people including seven Americans. RealAudio: Glenn Kessler of The Washington Post updates the situation on the ground. Update: Bombings Rock Riyadh, at Least 20 Killed May 13, 2003, 7:02pm EDT Westerners Face Regulations, Hostility in Saudi Arabia Monday night's attack is the latest strike at the more than 60,000 Westerners who work in the kingdom and largely live in heavily guarded compounds separate from Saudi people. May 13, 2003, 6:02pm EDT American, Saudi Leaders Denounce Attacks Crown Prince Abdullah: The Saudi leader cites the Koran in his condemnation of the attacks. President Bush: The president promises to bring the attackers to justice.

In January 2002, a NewsHour team traveled to Saudi Arabia to explore the culture of one of America's strongest allies in the Middle East.





Al-Hamra Oasis Village Compound	Dorrat Al Jadawel housing complex	Vinnell Corporation housing complex	Saudi Maintenance Companyister Tariq Aziz


Protected by 20-foot walls with security cameras 416 housing units -- 240 villas and 176 one- and two-bedroom apartments Roughly half of the compound's residents are Westerners and the other half are Arabs Facilities include a bowling alley, pools, children's playgrounds, and a shopping complex Located next to the British School of Riyadh, which was also damaged in the attacks	24-hour security around two access gates, with motion and infrared detectors 408 residences -- two-story, six-bedroom executive-style homes Facilities include massive banquet facility, formal restaurant, a bowling alley, tennis courts, pools and soccer fields	Complex known as Camp Vinnell and houses 70 Americans employees, although many were reportedly away on a training exercise when the bombing occurred Vinnell provides training and support for the Saudi National Guard Vinnell/Arabia is a Virginia-based company and subsidiary of Northrop Grumman	Also known as Siyanco, the AP reports the company is a joint-owned venture between U.S.-based Frank E. Basil Inc. and local Saudi partners. The company's Web site states that it is entirely Saudi-owned Headquarters are in a 200,000 square-meter compound east of Riyadh Company has contracts with the Saudi government, private companies for projects that include drilling oil wells, and operating airports and hospitals ter Tariq Aziz