European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 28, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday november 28, 1993 the stars and stripes Page 3 Britain rejects sex airman s bid to sue u .5, by Nancy . Bureau a British appeals court has rejected a former . Serviceman s claims for dam Ages against the . Government but re fused to Grant Blanket immunity for the United states against other potential Liti Gants. The three judge British court of appeals issued its ruling this month in a Case brought by Ricardo Louis Littrell a former air Force staff sergeant who was discharged from the service in 1989 for medical reasons. According to his British attorney lit Trell sought damages after he entered the air Force Hospital at Raf Lakenheath in 1987 seeking treatment for asthma. After receiving an intravenous injection lit Trell suffered complications which left him without movement in one Arm Ken Hughes said. Littrell now lives in Kentucky and could not be reached for comment. Littrell sued the United states in a British lower court but it ruled in june the court said. For example incidents involving bomber aircraft would be immune the court said but incidents involving military purchases of British goods or reckless driving in England by 1992 that British courts have no Juristic . Servic members could be brought lion Over the . Government and Dis pm before English courts the court said missed the Case. Joe Krovisky a Public information offi Littrell appealed that ruling and the cer for the . Department of Justice in court of appeals in London agreed to Washington said the ruling brings British hear the Case. Courts in line with those of other nato the court s judges issued a 26-Page nations where . Servic members Are summary which. Cleared the United stationed. States of any liability concerning Littrell. In addition he said the ruling mirrors for an English court to allow visiting . Law regarding the Legal status of for . Servicemen to sue their government eign nations in the United states. Such would clearly be an interference. Be Law is based on the foreign services in tween the troops and their Sovereign Unity act which holds that Sovereign the court wrote. Nations Are immune from some suits in however . Government immunity the United states but not those involving extends Only to strictly military matters Commerce he said. Littrell sought Relief through the Brit ish courts Hughes said because . Federal Law bars service members from suing the United states for malpractice. England has no similar Law he said. The lower British court dismissed lit Trell s Case citing a 1951 status of forces agreement Between England and the United states. The agreement addresses the stationing of visiting forces in the is land nation. The appeals court ruled that Only portions of the 1951 agreement remain valid specifically those incorporated into a vis iting forces Law adopted in 1954. The appellate court said that the 1951 agreement is not part of British Law. Furthermore the court wrote changes in International Law Over the past 40 years have ended the practice of granting total immunity from prosecution to any visiting nation. Wherefore Art thou in Verona Happy gis say from Page 1 military and civilian personnel. About 100 of the Headquarters staff Are . Military personnel mostly army or air Force members. Italian army Gen. Lucio Annecco commands the Headquarters which is subordinate to Allied forces Southern Europe in Naples. His command spends most of its time producing staff studies an plans forthe defense of Italy s Northern Borders. The com Mand occupies several buildings All in Verona s historic District. Its Headquarters building is a former Palace Palazzo Carli built in the 18th Century. Situated Between two buildings the Palace marked by an identifying brass plaque. The Palace is but a Short stroll from the City s old Castle and it curious Bridge across the adige River and from Verona s tourist attractions including the roman Amphitheater famous for its summer opera season and Juliet s House and Tomb. Verona was the setting for William Shakespeare s drama in which he immortalized the 14th-Century lovers. The land South american Community including family members numbers about 300, according to Lockhart a command action officer who also serves As president of the american Community s activities association. The group coordinates activities such As scouting and adult sports leagues. The american Community leans heavily upon . Army facilities at Vicenza 42 Miles to the East for support. The department of defense dependents school serves 80 children in grades kindergarten through eight at one facility in Verona. Those of High school age in Verona travel by bus to attend Vicenza High school. When they first arrive in Verona most kids dread the thought of those trips Back and Forth to Vicenza but most kids end up handling it quite Well army it. Col. Paul Morgan said. Morgan has three daughters making the trek. Verona s american contingent has a Community club serving As a social glue for military members and their families Lockhart said. The club serves food and drinks and is open for a few hours monday through Friday evenings and is  the Allied land forces Southern Europe Headquarters is steeped in the history of Verona Italy