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US Drops Charges Against Cole Suspect

Obama meets families of victims, including 9/11, tomorrow

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 5, 2009 7:42 PM CST

(Newser) – The US withdrew charges—at least temporarily—against the main suspect in the 2000 USS Cole bombing tonight, ABC News reports. They could be reinstated once the Obama administration works out the logistics of handling the cases of Gitmo detainees. President Obama, meanwhile, will meet face-to-face with families of victims from the Cole attack and 9/11 tomorrow to reassure them of the United States' resolve against terrorists.

The president set up the meetings to assure the families that his administration is not giving a free pass to the Cole suspect, Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, or to any terror suspects even though it plans to shut down the Guantanamo Bay prison. Conservative critics, including Dick Cheney, say the US is going soft on terrorists. One 9/11 activist told the Washington Post that "fireworks" could fly at the Obama meeting.

This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows damage sustained on the port side of the USS Cole in 2000.
This image provided by the U.S. Navy shows damage sustained on the port side of the USS Cole in 2000.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
President Barack Obama pauses during a statement before signing the SCHIP legislation in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 in Washington.
President Barack Obama pauses during a statement before signing the SCHIP legislation in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Feb 5, 2009 9:49 PM CST
words are cheeep! actions are tough. 'jake_NM
Guest
Feb 5, 2009 9:35 PM CST
This is the same reason Osama (not Obama) got away 5 times when Clinton decided we didn't have enough to hold him.

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