Tensions between Europe and America burst into the open again yesterday when the US threatened to boycott Nato meetings and froze spending on the
organisation's new headquarters in Brussels in protest against Belgian war crimes cases against Americans.
At a Nato meeting in Brussels, Donald Rumsfeld, the US Defence Secretary, launched a ferocious attack on Belgium, whose controversial human rights
laws give its courts power to try foreigners for war crimes even if they were committed abroad.
With those indicted including General Tommy Franks, the commander of US forces in Iraq, Mr Rumsfeld accused Belgium, which opposed the American-led
war, of turning its legal system into "a platform for divisive, politicised lawsuits against its Nato allies". He added: "It would obviously not be
easy for US officials or potentially coalition officials, civilian or military, to come to Belgium for meetings. Certainly until this matter is
resolved we will have to oppose any further spending for construction for a new Nato headquarters here in Brussels."
Nato, which recently decided to admit seven more member states, has agreed to construct a new home and has selected a site opposite its current base.
The project is expected to cost €200m to €400m (£140m to £280m).
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