Update: Miami Terror Arrests
Fri, Jun 23, 2006 at 7:09:58 am PDT
The Islamic terror suspects arrested yesterday in Miami intended to launch an attack “as good or greater than 9/11:” Indictment: Suspects wanted to ‘kill all the devils we can’.
MIAMI, Florida (CNN) — A federal indictment against seven men revealed Friday details of what the government said was a plan intended to “kill all the devils we can.”
The mission was intended to be “as good or greater than 9/11,” beginning with the destruction of Chicago’s Sears Tower, according to court documents obtained Friday by CNN.
Named in the grand jury indictment is Narseal Batiste, who allegedly told a federal undercover agent, who he thought was a member of al Qaeda, that he was organizing a mission to build an Islamic army to wage a jihad in the United States. (Read the full indictment — PDF)
The document says that Batiste “recruited and supervised individuals in order to organize and train for a mission to wage war against the United States government, which included a plot to destroy by explosives the Sears Tower in Chicago, Illinois,” the nation’s tallest building.
Batiste gave the undercover agent a list of equipment he needed to “wage jihad” including “boots, uniforms, machine guns, radios and vehicles,” according to the document, as well as bullet-proof vests and $50,000 in cash.
“In order to obtain funding and support for the mission to wage war against the United States, Narseal Batiste and other conspirators attempted to obtain the support of al Qaeda,” the document said.
UPDATE at 6/23/06 7:50:36 am:
The Kos Koordinating Kommittee has handed down the talking point to deal with this setback: Daily Kos: Beyond Iraq.
Kudos to law enforcement officials for discovering the alleged plot before it could be implemented. Yet today’s news from Afghanistan and Florida reminds us that terrorists are thriving in nations where we prematurely declared victory, and they are thriving among us on our own soil as well. Stubbornly remaining in the quicksands of Iraq will not protect us from terrorists here and abroad. And no spin from from the Vice-President can conceal that sad fact.
Weak.
UPDATE at 6/23/06 7:53:29 am:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wastes no time demanding protection from imaginary “backlash.”
CAIR National Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed said: “The American Muslim community is extremely concerned about these disturbing reports. We stand with local and national law enforcement authorities in seeking to keep our nation safe and secure.”
Ahmed added that CAIR is urging police departments nationwide to step up patrols near mosques and other Islamic Institutions to help prevent any possible backlash resulting from these arrests.
CAIR’s press conference is scheduled for noon Eastern, right after the government’s. They clearly recognize the importance of getting out there as quickly as possible with some soothing words for the media.
Frank says:
