Newsweek Periscope Item: THE INVESTIGATION The Mystery Money Men

		NEWSWEEK In the December 10 issue of Newsweek (on Newsstands Monday, December 3), Correspondents discuss the implications of trying terrorists in military tribunals, and on the warfront, Newsweek looks at the new military doctrine. Also, an exclusive on an American who was fighting among the Taliban and is now a prisoner of the Northern Alliance. Plus a first look at "Lord of the Rings" with a David Ansen review and a behind-the-scenes view of the making of the epic trilogy[AC] NEW YORK, NY USA

Investigators probing the background to the September 11 attacks think they know how a lot of money made its way to two hijack team leaders. But finding out who put up the cash is proving a more daunting task. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011202/HSSA010 ) Sources close to the investigation tell Newsweek that banking records indicate more than $200,000 used by the hijackers went through the United Arab Emirates. One key mechanism was a checking account at an Emirates branch of HSBC, the giant international bank. The account was opened in July 1999 by Marwan Al-Shehhi, who authorities believe piloted the hijacked flight that hit the World Trade Center's South Tower. Between July 1999 and November 2000, investigators say, around $100,000 flowed through the HSBC account. Initially Al-Shehhi received money in Germany. But in the summer of last year he and Mohamed Atta, then a fellow student in Hamburg, enrolled at a Florida flight school. In July 2000 Al-Shehhi opened a joint account at a Venice, Fla., branch of SunTrust Bank with Atta, pilot of the plane that hit the WTC's North Tower. Over the next three months this account received what investigators think was the primary funding for the attacks: four transfers totaling $110,000, all from a currency exchange in Dubai. The money was delivered by men calling themselves ``Mr. Ali,'' ``Isam Mansour'' and ``Hani.'' U.S. officials say that before September 11, government supervision of money transfers in the Emirates was virtually nonexistent. Some U.S. investigators believe suitcases of cash were brought to the Emirates from wealthy Saudi and Kuwaiti Islamists. Emirates sheiks have now launched a sweeping money-laundering crackdown. Mark Hosenball and Daniel Klaidman

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