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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Arrests over US army base 'plot' | Arrests over US army base 'plot' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Six men have been arrested on charges of plotting to attack Fort Dix army base in the US state of New Jersey. | Six men have been arrested on charges of plotting to attack Fort Dix army base in the US state of New Jersey. |
| They allegedly planned to use automatic weapons "with the intention of killing as many US soldiers as possible", said the US Attorney's Office in New Jersey. | They allegedly planned to use automatic weapons "with the intention of killing as many US soldiers as possible", said the US Attorney's Office in New Jersey. |
| Four of the men were born in the former Yugoslavia, one in Jordan and one in Turkey, a spokesman said. He described the suspects as "Islamic radicals". | Four of the men were born in the former Yugoslavia, one in Jordan and one in Turkey, a spokesman said. He described the suspects as "Islamic radicals". |
| The six were due to appear in court in Camden, New Jersey, on Tuesday. | The six were due to appear in court in Camden, New Jersey, on Tuesday. |
| Some of the suspects were US citizens and others were illegal immigrants, said US Attorney's Office spokesman Michael Drewniak. | Some of the suspects were US citizens and others were illegal immigrants, said US Attorney's Office spokesman Michael Drewniak. |
| They will face charges of conspiracy to kill US servicemen. | They will face charges of conspiracy to kill US servicemen. |
| "They were planning an attack on Fort Dix in which they would kill as many soldiers as possible," he said. | "They were planning an attack on Fort Dix in which they would kill as many soldiers as possible," he said. |
| Five of the suspects lived in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, about 20 miles (32 km) south-west of Fort Dix, where they were arrested on Monday evening. | |
| 'Weapons training' | 'Weapons training' |
| White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters there was "no direct evidence" that the men allegedly involved in the plot had links to international terror networks. | White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters there was "no direct evidence" that the men allegedly involved in the plot had links to international terror networks. |
| "They are not being charged with being members of an international terror organisation," he said. | "They are not being charged with being members of an international terror organisation," he said. |
| "However, their involvement in weapons training, operational surveillance and discussions about killing American military personnel warranted a strong law enforcement response." | "However, their involvement in weapons training, operational surveillance and discussions about killing American military personnel warranted a strong law enforcement response." |
| According to local media reports, the men had allegedly trained in weapons use over recent months in the Pocono Mountains area of north-eastern Pennsylvania. | According to local media reports, the men had allegedly trained in weapons use over recent months in the Pocono Mountains area of north-eastern Pennsylvania. |
| The authorities have stressed that the alleged plot was stopped in the planning stage. | |
| It is believed the men were arrested as part of an undercover FBI operation as they tried to buy AK-47 assault rifles from a local arms dealer. | |
| A spokeswoman for the FBI said a news conference would be held later on Tuesday to discuss the arrests. | |
| Fort Dix is used for military training, particularly for reservists. | Fort Dix is used for military training, particularly for reservists. |