Why is the USA so afraid of little Belgium ?

[Flandrien]

On the news today:
The US wants to relocate NATO headquarters from Brussels to another NATO country.
The reason for this is some people that want to sue general Franks for war crimes in Irak, and they want to do this in Belgium, because of special Belgian anti-genocide laws.

I mean, what do they think they can achieve with this ?

More info here

[Whaleboy]

If the US has nothing to hide, then let him be arrested and tried.

[Giancarlo]

There weren't any war crimes in Iraq committed by General Franks. So Belgium is engaging in a little slander campaign. So what is the problem with the US moving its base elsewhere?

[Cyclotron]

I can see war crimes if it turned out the guy really targeted civilians (which I doubt), but genocide? These people must be far more high than I originally anticipated.

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by elijah
If the US has nothing to hide, then let him be arrested and tried.

It rhymes!

Seriously, though, that's pretty silly. We can extradite and arrest anybody from any country without any evidence on suspicion of war crimes? Shouldn't there be some evidence presented first? Otherwise, it's just a political stunt.

[Giancarlo]

You know.. actually.. what is Belgium trying to accomplish to try a US military general? What is it trying to do? Spit at the US even more? It is just politics. Nothing of true substance.

Move along.

[Ming]

Re: Why is the USA so afraid of little Belgium ?

Originally posted by Flandrien
I mean, what do they think they can achieve with this ?

It's all politics... If they want to play their silly little games, the US will play theirs as well.

[Flandrien]

Originally posted by Fez
So Belgium is engaging in a little slander campaign.

A common misconception: Belgium is playing the part of judge, not of prosecutor.

[Arrian]

Tommy Franks: war criminal

Belgian lawyer Jan Fermon, working with the Stop USA Coalition--Stop United States of Aggression--brought charges against the Pentagon on May 13, using Belgium's 1993 legislation dealing with war crimes and genocide.

A Stop USA Coalition document explains, "The complaint is directed against soldiers--who are not identified at this stage--who have committed war crimes. It mentions Gen. Tommy Franks in particular for ordering war crimes and for not preventing others from committing them or for providing protection to the perpetrators.

Yep, figured as much.

-Arrian

[Cruddy]

Arem't elephants afraid of mice? (Nah, probably a myth).

I think the real target isn't Franks.

I reckon it's Ariel Sharon - but don't quote me, because putting a soldier on trial is one thing. Putting a head of state on trial is a completely different kettle of fish.

[Worthingtons]

'Old Europe' cannot be trusted anymore, it's not a matter of this one fella but as someone else said International politics. What Happened last century needs to be forgotten - France,Belgium and Germany are no Allies of ours and therefore should have the headquarters of our 'alliance'.
The Nato headquarters should be in the UK.

[Panag]

hi ,

they should build the new nato and shape on Malta

they allready have 400 000 unemployed and 40 000 each new year on a working pop of +- 3 750 000 , a couple more for them shall not hurt , .....

luxembourg seems a great new place also , ...

have a nice day

[Defiant]

I am all for it, lets move the Belgium headquarters, UN to France, our Forces in Germany to Poland and our forces in S.Korea to Iraq, fair is fair man.

[Whaleboy]

Like I said, if they have nothing to hide, then they should face it like men, instead of running away. If they are shown to have NOT committed war crimes, think of the political capital gained!

[SpencerH]

We shouldnt care where NATOHQ is, we should just get outa NATO.