Monday, September 17, 2007

EBay stops sale of Belgium

This is not the first time someone offered to sell Belgium:

Internet auction website eBay on Monday withdrew an unusual second-hand sale item, the country of Belgium, which had attracted an offer of 10 million euros (13.9 million dollars).

"Belgium, a kingdom in three parts" was posted on the Belgian ebay site as offering "plenty of choice" despite the caveat that it comes with "300 billion of National Debt."

Offered in three parts -- Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia -- the accompanying blurb said the kingdom "can be bought as a whole (not recommended)."

The vendor also included as added extras "the king and his court (costs not included)."

[...]

"But the last time it wasn't a Belgian who made the announcement and it wasn't as well done or as amusing," said Burin.
It seems impertinent to me to try to sell a country to which you don't belong or own.