'US faces new domestic terror'

2006-06-23 17:54

Washington - United States attorney general Alberto Gonzales said on Friday that "domestic terrorists" could become as big a threat as al-Qaeda is, as he hailed the arrest of seven men accused of plotting to blow up a Chicago skyscraper.

FBI deputy director John Pistole said the plot was "more aspirational than operational" and called the arrests an "important step forward in the war on terrorism here in the United States".

The seven men - five Americans and two foreigners - were detained during FBI raids in Miami on Thursday.

The seven have been charged with conspiracy to carry out attacks in the US.

According to the charges, the seven were targeting buildings including the Sears Tower in Chicago, the FBI regional headquarters, and other buildings in Miami.

At a Washington news conference, Gonzales discussed the threat of small rogue groups in the US: "The convergence of globalisation and technology has created a new brand of terrorism.

'Inspired by jihad'

"Today, terrorist threats may come from smaller, more loosely defined cells who are not affiliated with al-Qaeda but who are inspired by a violent jihad message.

"Left unchecked, these home-grown terrorists may prove to be as dangerous as groups like al-Qaeda."

Gonzales said recent attacks in Madrid and London, and arrests in Canada, "demonstrated the challenges posed by home-grown terrorists who live in the area that they intend to attack".

Gonzales said: "The terrorists and suspected terrorists in Madrid and London and Toronto were not sleeper operatives sent on suicide missions.

"They were students and business people and members of the community. And they were persons who, for whatever reason, came to view their home country as the enemy.

"It's a problem that we face here in the United States, as well."

The seven suspects are expected to appear in court in Miami on Friday.

- AFP