A World Trade Center developer asked a judge Wednesday to disqualify American Airlines from using an “act of war” defense to dodge property liability resulting from the Sept. 11 attacks.
Lawyers for the developer, Larry Silverstein, filed papers in U.S. District Court in Manhattan to urge rejection of American Airlines’ claim that the 2001 terrorist attack was an act of war that should shield the airline from liability. They called the claims proof of “breathtaking cynicism.”
The lawyers said the airline and its insurance carriers promised Congress, regulators and the American people after the attacks that the defense would not be used. In return, the lawyers said, the aviation industry got a massive federal bailout that protected their businesses after the attacks.
“Defendants now renege on those promises and press an act of war defense,” the lawyers wrote.
American Airlines spokesman Sean Collins said Silverstein’s claims have “no factual or legal support.”
“American Airlines has defended itself with all defenses available at law against the baseless attempt by the Silverstein entities to hold American responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11,” he said.
Read more at TIMES REPUBLICAN.COM
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How could it be an act of war if no country declared war on us and we didnt declare war on any other country?