Judge denies Sudan’s request to dismiss USS Cole lawsuit

Feb 27, 2007 (NORFOLK, Va.) — A federal judge in Norfolk today rejected Sudan’s request to dismiss a lawsuit the families of the 17 sailors killed in the terrorist bombing of the U-S-S Cole filed against the African nation’s government.

U-S District Judge Robert Doumar (doo-marr) also had to consider what laws apply from which country, the United States, Sudan or Yemen. He said he thought U-S law applies because a U-S ship was bombed.

The lawsuit alleges that Sudan’s government provided financial and training support to al-Qaida, including the militants who planned the attack on the Norfolk-based Navy destroyer in the Aden, Yemen, harbor in October 2000.

Sudan’s request to dismiss was based in part on the argument that the lawsuit was filed after the three-year statute of limitations. Andrew Hall, an attorney for the families, said outside court that the statute is ten years if a foreign sovereign is involved.

The lawsuit goes to trial March 13th.

(AP)