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USD 1 = NOK 6.90 No. 03 - 26 January 1993
CONTENTS:
Warm approval for Stoltenberg's views (1)
Brundtland defends Norwegian agriculture (2)
Norwegian women rally to aid of Bosnian rape victims (3)
Joy over release of Kenyan oppositional (4)
Real wage growth of 4 per cent (5)
Nuclear threat diminished - and increased? (6)
The Heroes of Telemark - fifty years later (7)
More and more Bosnians seek asylum in Norway (8)
International interest in tv course on the environment (9)
Most confidence in Postbanken and the Postal Service (10)
.......................................................................
. From 29 January Norinform's phone number - for overseas callers - .
. will be 47-22 11 46 85. Ouf Fax number will be 47-22 42 48 87. .
. Within Norway the national code, 47, is omitted. .
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norinform/1 26 January 1993
WARM APPROVAL FOR STOLTENBERG'S VIEWS
"Norway must be prepared to take part in peace-making UN operations,
if necessary those involving the use of military force," said Minister of
Foreign Affairs Thorvald Stoltenberg in a recent report to the national
assembly, the Storting. "The need for peace-making operations, in addition to
the traditional peace keeping functions, will often arise", he added.
Preventive measures and peace keeping operations should continue to be
Norway's main UN involvement. The peace keeping force in Macedonia is an
example of this type of operation, said Stoltenberg. Norway has 214 men in
the UN contingent in Macedonia, which can only to resort to weapons in
self-defence.
In his address to the Storting Stoltenberg underlined the importance
of political cooperation with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
through the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NACC). "I regard the NACC
as the first stage in a long process whereby these countries are
gradually drawn into security policy cooperation, with its basis in NATO.
The signals are clear; we have started a process which we will
continue in complete openness, thus averting the creation of new
dividing lines in security policies. More than ever before, the security of
Europe is indivisible, Stoltenberg said.
Thorvald Stoltenberg's address met with approval across the entire
political spectrum in the national assembly. None of the party spokesmen,
neither from right nor from left, will reject the necessity of using force
in the UN's peace making activities.
(norinform)
norinform/2 26 January 1993
BRUNDTLAND DEFENDS NORWEGIAN AGRICULTURE
Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland defended the special requirements
of Norwegian agriculture at a recent international convention on the
present and future roles of social democracy. She was invited to
join a panel at the conference - held in Paris - by the President of the
EC Commission, Jacques Delors.
"Arctic agriculture is not the same as agriculture in the rest of Europe,"
she pointed out, explaining the need for Norwegian regional support
policies and describing the fear in Norway that centralized European
policies could undermine the viability of outlying regions. The Norwegian
Prime Minister emphasized that the Nordic countries, with their democratic
traditions, could provide a valuable contribution to the "still-needed
democratization of Europe."
However, Brundtland stressed that she shares the EC's primary goals. "The
basic political goals of the EC will be the motive force when, in a couple
of years, we ask people to say 'yes' to Europe in a referendum," she said.
The referendum could be held at the end of 1994 or beginning of 1995 at
the earliest, she believes. In an EC membership poll for January, opposition
to the EC fell by 1 point to 48 per cent. The highest opposition to
membership (54 per cent) was measured in November last year. While
Norwegian EC scepticism has decreased in the past three months, support
for membership has risen from 29 per cent in November to 35 per cent in
January. (norinform)
norinform/3 26 January 1993
NORWEGIAN WOMEN RALLY TO AID OF BOSNIAN RAPE VICTIMS
Prominent female politicians of every hue have joined forces to support a
fundraising campaign for the victime of the Serbians' organized rape of
Bosnian women. "We want to play our part in raising a powerful protest
against these atrocities," said Kirsti Kolle Groendahl, vice president of
Norway's national assembly, when the campaign was launched. By 1 April
the Norwegian People's Relief Association - organizers of the action - plan
to collect USD 3 million in order to give both immediate and long-term aid
to the Bosnian women and their children, who have been called "the hidden
victims of the war." In her appeal Kirsti Kolle Groendahl drew attention
to allegations from some quarters that rape and abuse are being used in
Yugoslavia as an organized strategy, aimed at destroying a people and a
culture.
The campaign got off to a good start with a USD 290,000 donation from
the Norwegian Government. Among others who have already pledged their
support are 25 women's organizations and a number of private firms.
Special events will be organized on International Women's Day, 8 March, and
the organizers have started to contact other countries with a view to
internationalizing the campaign.
The Norwegian People's Relief Association is already working in Zenica in
Bosnia and Zagreb in Croatia. It plans to establish new aid centres in the
hospital at Zenica and the University hospital in Zagreb. Local women
stress that the rape victims are frightened of coming forward with their
problems, and need to be helped in the anonymity of a normal
hospital. In addition, mobile units will travel around seeking out those who
need help. This will be given by aid teams, supported by Norwegian
specialists. (norinform)
norinform/4 26 January 1993
JOY OVER RELEASE OF KENYAN OPPOSITIONAL
"We welcome the news of the release, and hope that it signals a more
enlightened attitude towards human rights and democracy in Kenya," said
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Thorvald Stoltenberg after
Kenyan-Norwegian Koigi wa Wamwere was recently released from the death cell
of Kamiti jail outside Nairobi.
Wamwere was a member of parliament and one of Kenya's most
prominent oppositional politicians when he was forced to flee the country in
1986. He was granted political asylum in Norway and his wife and two
children arrived two years later after a dramatic flight from Kenya. During
a visit to Uganda in 1990 Wamwere was allegedly kidnapped and forcibly
returned to Kenya, where he was accused of having planned to overthrow
president Daniel arap Moi.
Norway has had no diplomatic representation in Kenya after Moi closed down
the Norwegian Embassy in 1990 on account of the attention that the Wamwere
case was attracting. Observers in Nairobi believe that the release of
Wamwere and three other political prisoners is due to Kenya's wish to
again receive the development aid which Western countries, among them
Norway, halted in November 1991 in an attempt to ensure democratic elections
in Kenya.
Wamwere has asked Minister of Foreign Affairs Thorvald Stoltenberg for help
to leave Kenya. All his travel documents were confiscated and he
cannot be reunited with his family in Norway before he receives a
Kenyan passport or Norwegian papers.
(norinform)
norinform/5 26 January 1993
REAL WAGE GROWTH OF 4 PER CENT
For the Norwegian wage earner 1992 was a gilt-edged year. Purchasing power
was boosted by an average of 3.5 to 4 per cent and both companies and
private individuals accumulated considerable capital,putting money in the
bank rather than spending it. These statistics were contained in a
preliminary report compiled by the authorities and by representatives of
both employer and employee organizations. Last year's fiscal reform also
played a part in making the 1992 increase in purchasing power the
biggest to have been registered for at least ten years. Not even the golden
years of the mid 80s were as lucrative. Despite daily reports of
tottering industries and private tragedies following in the wake of
unemployment and debt, the average company and wage earner is far from
the brink of ruin.
Last year's wage increases were higher than many had anticipated, averaging
3.5 per cent, though this was well below the 1991 figure of 5.3 per cent.
From 1991 to 1992 inflation stood at 2.3 per cent; somewhat lower than
expected. Also, the full effects of the fiscal reform became apparent for the
first time last year, stimulating a considerable growth in disposable
income.
The committee report, which is presented in January every year, lays the
basis for the spring wage talks. But the committee members are reluctant to
indicate the size of possible wage hikes. The prospects for this
year are rather uncertain as a result of the Government's crisis package for
industry, increased V.A.T. and the falling NOK exchange rate. But an
estimated inflation of 3.5 to 4 per cent gives some indication of the limits
for a drop in real wages.
(norinform)
norinform/6 26 January 1993
NUCLEAR THREAT DIMINISHED - AND INCREASED?
Norwegians living in the country's northernmost counties received welcome
news this week when the Russian authorities announced that the Polyarny Zori
nuclear power plant on the Kola peninsula is to undergo extensive
alterations with a view to upgrading security. The outmoded and
potentially lethal plant is situated only 150 kilometres from the
Norwegian border and has long been a cause of anxiety among the people of
North Norway. The Russians are to spend more than USD 55 million on the
project; money which will come from export earnings from the Pechenga nickel
works, also on the Kola peninsula.
The Norwegian firm Kvaerner Kimek cooperates with the management of
both Polyarny Zori and Petchenga on security matters and is hoping to take
part in the construction work. Norway's Nuclear Energy Safety Authority is
also engaged in security work at Polyarny Zori, and Norway has contributed
nearly USD 3 million towards improving security at the plant.
Nuclear news of a far less positive nature came this week from Igor Spassky,
an engineer who helped design the nuclear submarine "Komsomolets" - which
sank south of Bear Island in the Barents Sea three years ago. At a recent
meeting with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spassky claimed
that the submarine sustained far greater damage than previously
believed and that salvagers have a maximum of five years to avert a nuclear
catastrophe. If the plutonium in the torpedoes aboard the vessel starts
to leak out, the resulting catastrophe could put Chernobyl in the shade,
asserts Spassky.
The head of the Nuclear Energy Safety Authority, Knut Gussgard, is sceptical
to assertions that the plutonium on the "Komsomolets" represents an
environmental threat. Far greater amounts of this radioactive element were
spread in the sea in the 1960s after the Soviet nuclear tests, without any
apparent damage to marine life, he says.
(norinform)
norinform/7 26 January 1993
THE HEROES OF TELEMARK - FIFTY YEARS LATER
The real life adventure of the "Heroes of Telemark" is to be reenacted
in Norway, but this time without the aid of Kirk Douglas in the lead role.
28 February marks the 50th anniversary of the daring sabotage expedition
by eight Norwegian resistance men who blew up the heavy water facilities at
Norsk Hydro's plant in Rjukan, southeast Norway, thus preventing the
Germans from using the water to produce atomic bombs. On the night of 27
February 1943 the eight saboteurs descended from the mountains
surrounding Rjukan and crossed a perilous river gorge before ascending on the
other side to carry out their mission, miraculously escaping detection
by the Germans guarding the factory.
At 9.45 pm on 27 February, 50 years to the minute from the time when
the operation started, 30 to 40 cadets from the Norwegian Military
Academy will follow the same route from the mountains, accompanied by
British and German soldiers. But at this point the likeness to the actual
event will end. The cadets will be wearing head lamps to make them
clearly visible to spectators in the inky darkness of the winter night. When
they emerge from the river gorge they will go in torchlit procession to
the former site of the heavy water plant, where a special commemorative
plaque will be unveiled, before "saboteurs" and spectators take part in a
special memorial service in Rjukan church.
This commemorative action, organized by the local council, is expected
to attract many visitors and TV companies in the USA, Britain and France
have already announced that they will be present.
(norinform)
norinform/8 26 January 1993
MORE AND MORE BOSNIANS SEEK ASYLUM IN NORWAY
Six out of ten asylum seekers who sought refuge in Norway during 1992 were
from the former Yugoslavia; 40 per cent more than in 1991. But there was
a 60 per cent drop in the number of asylum applicants from other countries.
Figures recently released by the Directorate of Immigration show that
asylum seekers from Bosnia-Hercegovina constituted a particularly large
group. Other large groups came from Somalia, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq,
Lebanon, Romania, SUS, Bulgaria and Ethiopia. In addition to these were a
number of stateless persons. The total number of asylum applications in
1992 was 5,238, compared with 4,569 in 1991.
In 1992 Norway accepted more quota refugees than it has for many years.
These are refugees who are transferred from other countries by the
UN High Commissioner for Refugees. In 1992 they totalled 1,391. Most of
these were from Iraq, Vietnam and Iran.
For 1993 the national assembly has decided to take in a further 700
quota refugees from Bosnia as well as their closest relatives. A further
500 quota refugees from other countries will also be allowed to settle in
Norway, states Arild Kjerschow, head of the Directorate of Immigration.
(norinform)
norinform/9 26 January 1993
INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN TV COURSE ON THE ENVIRONMENT
A Norwegian television course in environmental studies "Tilfellet Tellus",
(The Tellus Case) has been a major success for its developers at the
University of Bergen.
In the autumn of 1991, 837 students from all over Norway started on a course
of environmental studies based on the Brundtland Commission's report, "Our
Common Future". In addition to the 26 television programmes, the course
also included several weekend seminars, a week's field studies and 10 radio
programmes, all sent by the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.
When the students sat their examinations, only 6.7 per cent of them failed
and in a course of more advanced study only 3.7 per cent failed to pass
and more than 65 per cent received first class grades. Compared with
the marks from normal university studies, the results were remarkable, not
only because of the high grades but also because of the exceptionally
high number of students who completed the course - 80 per cent compared with
an average of 58 - 62 per cent.
The University's success has been duly noted abroad and enquiries are coming
in from Universities in both Europe and Africa which would like to copy the
course and wish to have it translated into other languages.
(norinform)
norinform/10 26 January 1993
MOST CONFIDENCE IN POSTBANKEN AND THE POSTAL SERVICE
The public verdict is that the best companies in Norway are owned and run
by the state. According to an opinion poll carried out by the polling agency
MMI, the man on the street has most confidence in the postal bank Postbanken
and the Postal Service in general - 85 per cent of those questioned said
they had a favourable impression of them. Following these come
Norwegian Telecom, the Norwegian Dairies, the domestic airline Braathens
SAFE, the state-run football pool and lottery Norsk Tipping, the state oil
company Statoil and Narvesen, the kiosk chain. Banks and mortgagers such as
Christiania Bank, Realkreditt, UNI Storebrand, Fokus Bank and Den norske
Bank are at the bottom of the list.
However, the differences between the various business sectors are marginal.
On a percentage point basis, branches achieved the following "good
overall impression" ratings: state-owned businesses 53, retailers 52,
foodstuffs industries 50, transport and communications 46, other industries
44, automobile importers 38, oil companies 35, real estate and
construction 35, insurance 33, banks 31 and credit institutions 12.
"The survey indicates the lack of confidence that the public currently has
in business and industry," says Erik Dalen at MMI. Central in this connection
could be the bad image generated in the Yuppie era and the enormous
problems of the banks and the export industries. Also, many have reacted
negatively to the business culture revealed by the media recently -
for example the sizeable golden handshakes given to many executives.
(norinform)
.