WHAT IS THE SOUND OF ONE WEASEL CRYING?

Brussels-based Nato headquarters may move to another member country following a cost-benefit analysis ordered by the US House of Representatives.

In an amendment to the Nato defence budget, congressmen say that it may be more beneficial financially to move the Alliance headquarters to an alternative base...

...The move comes at a time when Belgium has fallen out of favour with the US on the politico-diplomatic front.

After joining Germany and France in a stance against the Iraqi conflict without UN approval, Belgium’s controversial law of universal competence further stressed relations...

...Universal competence allows for the trial of a person or persons for war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity — although jurisdiction had allowed for cases of foreign origin to be tried, the law was amended following US pressure so as to avoid it being used for political means.

Most recently, US army commander General Tommy Franks faced a series of war crimes allegations under the law, including the bombing of a market and non-action in the face of pillaging in Baghdad. The Belgian government stepped in and returned the case to the US to be dealt with domestically.

The US Ambassador to Belgium suggested earlier in the year that Brussels risked the loss of Nato HQ if the so-called genocide law continued to be a problem.

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