AP: Judge Rules Against Sudan in Bombing (USS Cole)

By SONJA BARISIC
The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 14, 2007; 1:22 PM

NORFOLK, Va. -- A federal judge said Wednesday that Sudan is responsible
for the bombing of the USS Cole but he needs more time to determine damages
for the families of the 17 sailors killed when terrorists bombed the ship in 2000.

"There is substantial evidence in this case presented by the expert testimony
that the government of Sudan induced the particular bombing of the Cole by
virtue of prior actions of the government of Sudan," U.S. District Judge
Robert G. Doumar said.

The civil trial started Tuesday in which the victims' relatives tried to prove
the terrorist attack couldn't have happened without Sudan's support.

Doumar said that he would issue a written opinion later to fully explain his
ruling. He requested additional paperwork, including tax returns of the sailors
killed, to determine the appropriate damages.

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