NATO: A Place in the Country

Ever since Charles de Gaulle served his eviction notice on the North Atlantic Alliance last March, NATO officers have been frantically trying to find a new home for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, now handsomely based near Paris. Belgium was a convenient alternative, but its government vetoed SHAPE’S suggestion that Brussels be the site. The capital, it seemed, had no desire to become a prime military target for Soviet missiles. Besides, argued the Belgians, Brussels was already overcrowded, and the sudden appearance of the SHAPE staffers and their families would be certain to drive up the cost of apartments, which was already too high.

Instead, the Belgians invited the generals to pick out a nice place in the country. So, after surveying a number of desolate sites, SHAPE with a sigh last week began construction of its new headquarters in the hamlet of Casteau, a wide spot in the road 30 miles southwest of Brussels.

Casteau (pop. 1,800) is so small and undistinguished that it does not even rate a line in Michelin’s guidebook. But it has some old red brick barracks on an 800-acre military reservation. By next spring, construction teams intend to throw up a modern headquarters, heliport, and 600 prefabricated houses for SHAPE’S staff of about 2,000 men and their numerous dependents. The cost —$43 million—will be shared by the 14 surviving NATO military members. France avoided a share of the bill by withdrawing from NATO’s military committee.

Though SHAPE’S officers may groan at the thought of swapping Paris’ glitter for bucolic Belgium, locals around Casteau consider the choice a stroke of luck. Real estate prices have doubled, and rents are sure to follow. Besides, many of the residents share a SHAPE passion: “I’m looking forward to the Americans,” says one Casteau golfer. “We need some competition.”