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30.04.03, 10:54
US anger at war crimes threat
By Justin Webb
BBC Washington correspondent
The Bush administration has reacted angrily to suggestions that General
Tommy Franks, the commander of the US-led war in Iraq, might be charged with
war crimes.
A Belgian lawyer says he is preparing a case that could see General Franks
charged under a law which allows the prosecution of non-Belgian citizens for
war crimes.
A Brussels lawyer says General Franks did nothing to stop looting
The most famous such case was brought against the Israeli Prime Minister,
Ariel Sharon, and caused deep strains in the relationship between Belgium
and Israel.
If this prosecution goes ahead, Bush administration officials are making it
plain they will regard it as a major diplomatic incident - an example of
political harassment.
A senior administration official warned that even the issuing of indictments
would result in what he called "diplomatic consequences" for Belgium.
The State Department spokesman, Richard Boucher, said the Belgian
authorities should act early to prevent such consequences.
HAVE YOUR SAY
This will only make it easier for the US to dismiss international courts as
irrelevant in the future
Daniel, USA
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"We believe the Belgian Government needs to be diligent in taking steps to
prevent abuse of the legal system for political ends," he said.
The row erupted after a Brussels lawyer gave an interview to American
newspapers in which he said he was aiming to file a case next week on behalf
of 10 Iraqi civilians alleging among other things that General Franks did
nothing to stop the looting of hospitals in Baghdad and that coalition
forces fired on an ambulance.
