Plot more aspirational than operational

MIAMI, June 23 (UPI) -- Five of the seven men accused of plotting to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago and five federal buildings appeared in a Miami court Friday.

Though the men said nothing of pertinence, reported The Miami Herald, their leader, Narseal Batiste, allegedly said he wanted to "kill all the devils that we can," read an indictment.

In Washington, Deputy FBI Director John Pistole Friday said the plans of seven alleged terrorists arrested in Miami were more "aspirational than operational."

At a Washington news conference with U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Pistole refused to elaborate much on the details of the indictment handed up against the seven but insisted "the threat is real and the stakes are high."

Pistole said one of the suspects had lived in Chicago and was familiar with the Sears Tower but he stressed there was no real danger.

Pistole said the seven never actually made contact with the terror group al-Qaida, dealing instead with a government agent posing as an al-Qaida member.

Gonzales said the leader of the group made statements about wanting to wage "a full ground war" against the United States, wanted to "kill all the devils we can" and that their attack would be "just as good or greater than" Sept 11.

The group is described as "homegrown" terrorists.

"Their goal was simple: to commit attacks against America," Pistole said.

They were arrested Thursday at a warehouse in the Liberty City area of Miami. The charges carry a penalty of a maximum 15 years in prison.