Portland "Terrorism" Arrests May For Show

Portland "Terrorism" Arrests May For Show
Sketchy Details in Ore. Case
By Patrick J. Mcdonnell And Peter Y. Hong
Los Angeles Times

Sunday, 6 October, 2002

Indictment of six in Portland is more suggestive of bumbling, would-be holy warriors than of soldiers training for deadly missions.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The alleged terrorists headed for Afghanistan at a time when the Taliban was on the run. They left the United States at a time when, authorities say, Al Qaeda's leadership was eager to have recruits on the ground here.

Money for their alleged scheme came from associates using real names and easily traceable wire transfers--with amounts typically just a few hundred dollars. They took target practice openly at a rural gravel pit, attracting the attention of a deputy sheriff.

The indictment against the six alleged terrorists unveiled here Friday is more suggestive of a group of bumbling, would-be holy warriors than the case's chilling implication: the nurturing of terrorist soldiers on U.S. soil. "The enemy recruits in this country, it trains in this country, it plans in this country and acts in this country," Charles Mathews, chief FBI agent in Portland, said in announcing the arrests.