U.S. arrests men on terror charges in Oregon

<br>WASHINGTON (AP) _ Authorities arrested six men Friday in Oregon and Michigan on charges they conspired to wage war on the United States and provide support to al Qaida. <br><br>Attorney General John

Friday, October 4th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Authorities arrested six men Friday in Oregon and Michigan on charges they conspired to wage war on the United States and provide support to al Qaida.

Attorney General John Ashcroft, announcing the arrests at a Justice Department news conference, called it a ``defining day'' in the fight against terrorism.

Ashcroft noted the sentencing in federal court Friday of John Walker Lindh and the guilty plea in Boston from accused shoe-bomber Richard Reid.

One of the six men arrested Friday had U.S. military training, the attorney general said.

Court records unsealed Friday said the six men traveled to Afghanistan for training.

The arrests, Ashcroft said, represent ``a texbook example'' of cooperation among federal, state and local authorities in the war against terrorism.

Court papers identified the six men as Jeffrey Leon Battle, Patrice Lumumba Ford, Ahmed Ibrahim Bilal, Muhammad Ibrahim Bilal, Habis Abdullah al Saoub and October Martinique Lewis. Battle was a former U.S. soldier, Ashcroft said.

All the men were in federal custody.

FBI Director Robert Mueller told reporters that ``those who support terrorism or acts of terrorism will be brought to justice.''

Ashcroft said some of the men began traveling to Afghanistan in October 2001 to fight with Taliban troops against U.S. forces.

A federal grand jury indicted the men on charges of conspiracy to levy war against the United States, conspiracy to provide material support and resources to al Qaida, conspiracy to contribute services to al Qaida and the Taliban and possessing firearms in furtherance of crimes of violence.

The indictment said the men engaged in weapons training in Washougal, Wash., starting in late September 2001, to prepare to fight with Taliban forces. Some of the men sent money to others overseas to support their efforts, the court documents charged.

Battle obtained an administrative discharge from the U.S. Army Reserve in January 2002. The indictment said Battle had enlisted to receive training in U.S. tactics and weapons, which Battle ultimately intended to use against American soldiers.