Tapes show Fort Dix informant at work

CAMDEN, N.J., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Tapes played Thursday in the New Jersey trial of five alleged would-be terrorists suggest they were reluctant to fall in with an informant's plans.

The informant, Mahmoud Omar, spent six months in discussions with one defendant, Mohamed Shnewer, before he was introduced to other members of the alleged cell, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported. Omar told Shnewer he thought he was full of "futile enthusiasm."

The defendants face life sentences in federal prison if they are convicted of plotting to attack Fort Dix, N.J.

When Omar finally met the three Duka brothers, none of them volunteered that they were privy to his discussions with Shnewer, the tape suggested. One told Omar he would need permission from a religious leader before any action.

Defense lawyers argue that the alleged terrorist conspiracy was cooked up by Omar, an older man and convicted criminal who was being paid $1,500 a week by the government.

Shnewer, who was 21 at the time, and Omar spent months traveling the area, looking at potential targets. Shnewer, in one taped conversation, suggested hijacking a fuel tanker truck and using it against Dover Air Force Base.