ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991                   TAG: 9102260435
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: GALVESTON, TEXAS                                LENGTH: Short

IRAQI VICTIMS' FAMILIES' SUITS DISMISSED

A federal judge cited national security concerns in dismissing a lawsuit filed by families of 23 crew members killed when an Iraqi missile struck the USS Stark in 1987.

U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent on Monday accepted the government's claim that disclosing information in the lawsuit could endanger the lives of military personnel and threaten national security.

While patrolling the Persian Gulf on May 17, 1987, the Stark was hit by two Exocet anti-ship missiles fired from an Iraqi F-1 Mirage fighter. Thirty-seven sailors were killed, and several others were injured.

Family members sued General Dynamics Corp. and other military contractors responsible for equipment on the ship, alleging that the design of the radars and weapons system failed. - Associated Press 


 by CNB