RE: Ohh boy

> BUT I would just put one thing straight: The belgian government
> CANNOT and MUST NOT be dishonoured by that, because here, Justice
> and Government (if you prever, executive part and legislative part)
> are independant.

Frank, I think you misunderstand the very essence of the problem, and from reports in the media it would seem the your government does too (or is at least playing stupid). The recent court decision is a catalyst, not the cause, and this has nothing to do with the separation between judicial, executive and legislative arms.
The fact that your judicial system engages in politics in legal robe is indeed regrettable, but that’s your problem, not anyone else’s. The real problem is not with your judicial arm but with your legislative and executive arms. The role of the courts is to uphold the law of the land as put down by your parliament. If anyone is going to lose face, it will be precisely your government and your parliament, for passing laws that allow your courts to persecute anyone they wish, without any relevance to Belgium whatsoever, for their self appointed role as the judge of nations. This whole affair is entirely political, not judicial, and it will mainly affect the political echelon.

> Now, the problem is going backwards without loosing face.

Indeed, that would be best, although I fear that time may have already passed. No one forced Belgium’s hand; no one made Belgian legislators pass such arrogant laws. Belgium’s parliament cared nothing for what other people and nations think of its self appointed role, and I suspect no one will give a second thought to preserving Belgian honor either.

The effort to put Ariel Sharon on trial in transparently political, and the arrogance that prompted a decision to try anyone you wish in your courts will only end up backfiring in your face. Israel has already recalled its ambassador from Brussels, what do you think other nations will do when you attempt to prosecute their leaders? Your courts already have several dozen cases pending, and with a possible war in Iraq soon, how long before someone tries to prosecute American and British leaders? Do you really think the US or Britain will accept your “moral authority”? Will they allow you to put their leaders on trial? Doesn’t anyone in Belgium see the inherent stupidity of this law?

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” So you think you are strong because you can survive the soft cushions. Well, we shall see. Biggles! Put her in the Comfy Chair! “