War Crimes Court's Next Target: NATO?

Is the International Criminal Court's next target NATO? Some NATO officials fear an investigation is nigh, after the ICC's prosecutor said Libya war-crimes allegations would be reviewed "impartially and independently," NATO-affiliated diplomats tell the AP. But an examination of allegations won't necessarily lead to an investigation, and in an effort to avoid a probe, NATO may soon launch an internal review of civilian casualty cases. NATO says it conformed to UN guidelines "to take all necessary measures to protect civilians."

Still, "in the event we receive a request for information, NATO is prepared to assist in any way it can," an official says. "We are not talking about any specific incident," says ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo. "We are saying, 'Yes, if there are allegations of crimes we will review that." But concerns over an investigation have prompted tension among members, insiders say. (More NATO stories.)