Norway Internal Affairs & News, Dagbladet.no

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Blue means official statements and policies.
Red means newsitems of various importance(including unimportant).

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Election interviews

Year 2009 is an election year in Norway and Dagbladet.no will interview all party leaders of the current Stortinget on a set of spcific questions regarding the current situation in Norway and the lrest of the world. In this issue, we will begin the interview with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, leader of the Arbeiderparti.



Dagbladet: Thank you for answering our readers questions, Prime Minister. I would like to start with the following: What does the Arbeiderparti plan to do in order to counter the effects of the financial crisis?

Jens Stoltenberg: This is not a specificly Norweigan problem, and we belive that the most effect will be had from international cooperation, chiefly via the EU. I think also it is imperative that we act with caution in this question, for we do not know how long this crisis will last and actions taken might lead to negative effects upon other aspects of society. We must work with the international community and with the Unions on this.

D: Criminality has rissen sharpishly in the last two decades in Norway, What will you do, if you get re-elected?

JS: Has it rissen? We do not know at this point actually, as there are no hard facts, just mere indications, that suggest such a change. In general terms i would like to point out the excellent work our program "Care for Criminals" is doing, in rehabilitating criminals back into society.

D: Is Norway doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Several experts point to the fact that the situation has not changed dramaticly since US actions several years ago.

JS: The USA is our most important ally and we will stand by them in these important times. Norway is an integrated and instrumental part of the NATO-led ISAF force in Afghanistan, and our contribution is valued by all NATO nations and of course the civilian population. The sacrfice our young soldeirs do today, are protecting the Norway of the future. There is no need to change anything in our policy regarding Afghanistan at this point.

D: Has the Financial crisis changed anything regarding your partys position vis-a-vis the European Union?

JS: We do see the benefits of being in the EU and especially the EMU. While we fight daily to keep the value of the Norweigan Krona, the € is a much stronger currency. Both import- and exportindustry would greatly benefit from being able to work exclusivly with the €. But we do not intend to bring this question up during the next four years, no.

D: And finally: What will you do for the enviroment?

JS: I think Norway has done very well already. We are one of the few almost 100% clean energy nations in the world. This is clearly an area where international cooperation is the key for a future success. While Norway is clean, China and India should adress their enviromental impact. Wich is, because of their sizes, gigantic.

D:Thank you Prime Minister.

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Second Interview

The Next interview is held with Kristin Halvorsen, Minister of Finance and leader of the Socialist Left Party.



Dagbladet: Thank you for answering our readers questions, Minister. I would like to start with the following: What does the Sosialistiske Venstre plan to do in order to counter the effects of the financial crisis?

Kristin Halvorsen: I am glad to recieve this question, for there is indeed a lot to be done. I think that it is very important to recognize the unique situation that Norway is in during the troublesome times we are in. We propose that funds should be lifted from the oilfund and used to invest in Norweigan companies, both stateowned and private ones, if they will meet the requirements we ask of them. I also think that it will be good for Norway, to at least temporarily leave the Schengen-agreement with the EU, to ensure that norweigan employees can keep their jobs.

D: Criminality has rissen sharpishly in the last two decades in Norway, What will you do, if you get elected?

KH: We believe that a complete reform of the national police must be undertaken to counter further rise in crimerates. Police must more activly seek out potantial criminals already in younger years and teach them of the consequences they will face. And we need to have more policeofficers "on the ground" in every Fylke.

D: Is Norway doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Several experts point to the fact that the situation has not changed dramaticly since US actions several years ago.

KH: It is now 20 years since the fall of the iron curtain. We think time has come to take a complete new grip on norweigan foreign policy. The lasting peace everyone spoke of in the early 90s has turned into more military actions by Norway than since 1945. Is NATO right for us? What do we want Norway to represent internationally? Perhaps time has come to disarm our military completely?

D: Has the Financial crisis changed anything regarding your partys position vis-a-vis the European Union?

KH: Not really. We still see the EU as a no-go option for Norway, wich of course has been confirmed by the population twice.

D: And finally: What will you do for the enviroment?

KH: Norway clearly must take actions to accelerate the work for a better enviroment on all levels, both domesticly and internationally. In Norway we intend to work for making Lofoten and other areas a completely ecological zone. Norway should continue to develop electic vehicles, supported by the state. The work done by Miljöbil Grendal was great, but lack of funding ment it was sold to India, instead of benefiting Norway. A lot of work remains in this area.

D:Thank you Minister.

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Third Interview

The Next interview is held with Liv Signe Navarsete, Minister of Public Transport and leader of the Center Party.



Dagbladet: Thank you for answering our readers questions, Minister. I would like to start with the following: What does the Senterparti plan to do in order to counter the effects of the financial crisis?

Liv Signe Navarsete: We believe that Norweigans are fully capable of helping themselves and each other, they just need a bit of support ont he local level. Therefor we propose that the state should decentralize more and give more funds to the local level. There they know best what they themselves need. We need a national plan for supporting companies that work with natural resources, capital and knowledge, they are our future.

D: Criminality has rissen sharpishly in the last two decades in Norway, What will you do, if you get elected?

LSN: We believe that the current development can best be turned around by having more policeofficers. We shall work for adding a further 23 regional areas for a total of 51. We also support the idea of a "superprison" that should handle all career criminals.

D: Is Norway doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Several experts point to the fact that the situation has not changed dramaticly since US actions several years ago.

LSN: It has always been the goal of our party to support all measures of local governance, reduce economic and geographical differences and secure a good ecologial heritage for future generations. The situation in Afghanistan is complex and multi-facetted, requiring an international answer. Norway will do its part for sure.

D: Has the Financial crisis changed anything regarding your partys position vis-a-vis the European Union?

LSN: No. This party will not be part of a government that prepares or decides that Norway shall become a part of the EU.

D: And finally: What will you do for the enviroment?

LSN: We are a green party, and have already made several proposals in the Stortinget regarding the enviroment. National ownership of natural resources is paramount, and safeguarding it for future generations is as well paramount. We will work for consistency in our work here.

D:Thank you Minister.

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Fourth Interview

This will be with the biggest opposition party, the Progress party, and its leader Siv Jensen.



Dagbladet: Thank you for answering our readers questions. I would like to start with the following: What does the Fremskrittspartiet plan to do in order to counter the effects of the financial crisis?

Siv Jensen: FrP will endorse taxcuts in several areas to easen the burden of the common norweigan. We will also work for a car destruation aid worth 2300 € for those that buy a new car and simultainious destroy their old car. Also we will work for more credit and craditguarantees to be available to the banks, to increase the wil to invest. We will also directly invest in infrastructure, research adn defence industry.

D: Criminality has rissen sharpishly in the last two decades in Norway, What will you do, if you get elected?

SJ: The current government has been much to relaxed on this issue. We will work for harsher penalties and quicker handling of especially violence and sexual offences. We will work for the police to have more officers, and that they be armed. Also that a victim-ombudman be instated.

D: Is Norway doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Several experts point to the fact that the situation has not changed dramaticly since US actions several years ago.

SJ: We have never had such a small Defence Force as we do now. We will imidiatly increase the defence budget with 2 million € annually for at least four years, just for purchases of new equipment. We will also stand to a second professional batalion as well as more ships for the navy and the coast guard. A complete reform of the defence forces should be done within two years also.

D: Has the Financial crisis changed anything regarding your partys position vis-a-vis the European Union?

SJ: Yes! We believe that the changes in international relationships and the financial crisis does warrant a new vote about Norway joining the EU.

D: And finally: What will you do for the enviroment?

SJ: Ever harsher enviromental laws makes the condition for norweigan companies both difficult and insecure. And will in the end only lead to them leaving for nations with better, more just, regulations in this area. Neither Norway nor the enviroment is served well by that. If Norweigan industry is to be a rolemodell, it must actually exist!

D:Thank you.

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Smaller parties to run for Stortinget

Several smaller and/or new parties ahve registered themselves for the upcomming elections. While most of them only cater for specific questions or geographical areas, others have "complete" political programs and ideologies. It is expected that one or possibly two of these parties will make it into the stortinget. These include, but not exclusivly:

Norges Pirateparti (Pirate Party of Norway)
Röd (Red, marxistic communist party)
Kystparti (Coast party)
Feministiskt Initiativ Norge (Feminist Initiative Norway)

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Progress party nominate scandalqueen

The populistic-liberal Progress party today announced that they have nominated the scandalqueen and former model Aylar Lie as a candidate for their party. The move is seen as a populistic way to reach younger male voters in what seems to be a very close race for the Stortinget. Miss Lie is of Iranian ethnicity and gained nordic fame when participating in a TV show.

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ISAF veteran killed in home

A attack aganst a ISAF veteran was conducted just a few hours ago. Conscript Sersjant Morten Henning Eidvoll died in what appears to be a terrorist attack, when several unknown persons threw an item, possibly an handgrenade, into his house in Kongsvinger. Police are surching for three males, aged 18-25 wearing dark clothes, that left the scene in a hurry.

The detonation was heard in most of the city and blew out the windows of buildings in several near-by quartiers. Firefighters from all over the city are working the are right now. More news will follow.

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Fifth Interview

This will be with the Conservative party, and its leader Erna Solberg.



Dagbladet: Thank you for answering our readers questions. I would like to start with the following: What does the Hřyre plan to do in order to counter the effects of the financial crisis?

Erna Solberg: We already see a decline in the first panic-striken actions from last year. Things are looking brighter and i believe that we already in late 2009 will see a positive growth again. This should of course be both encouraged and kick-started by, the new government. We will lower the taxes for all companies, especially those active in the areas of reasearch and innovation but also in the industry as a whole.

D: Criminality has rissen sharpishly in the last two decades in Norway, What will you do, if you get elected?

ES: The comfort of feeling safe and not to fear mad gunmen or violent offenders is very important to us all. We want to meet crime as fast as possible, and process the offences as fast as possible. Todays system with year-long waiting untuil process is a significant part of the problem.

D: Is Norway doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Several experts point to the fact that the situation has not changed dramaticly since US actions several years ago.

ES: We are a small but significant partner of the international community, and our contributions have earned the highest respects abroad. Recently Norwegian Special Forces recieved one of the highest american medals. I think this shows that the Norwegian Defence is as good as any. But there is always room for improvements of course, and we shall look into a reorganization when we win.

D: Has the Financial crisis changed anything regarding your partys position vis-a-vis the European Union?

ES: No.

D: And finally: What will you do for the enviroment?

ES: A good system of public transport is important for a good quality of life. We will continue to build more railways across Norway when we win. This is also important for Norwegian industry, who depends on good transport cababilities for their export.

D:Thank you.

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Sixth Interview

This will be with the Liberal party of Norway, and its leader Lars Sponheim.



Dagbladet: Thank you for answering our readers questions. I would like to start with the following: What does the Venstre plan to do in order to counter the effects of the financial crisis?

Lars Sponheim: The future is not set yet. But it will contain numerous employments based on innovation and start-ups by creative norwegians. We want a politic that supports these future employments, the innovators and the creative norwegians. For they are our future. We will make a start-up support package for small companies that need government support with low-interest loans. We advocates a reform of the Norwegian welfare state through a guaranteed minimum income for all, wich would reduce the financial burden on both the state, and the citizens as such.

D: Criminality has rissen sharpishly in the last two decades in Norway, What will you do, if you get elected?

LS: The explosive development in this area, especially in the field of internet-related crime, puts a preassure on us as a nation that has not been there before. But we must not yield the personal integrity of our citizens because of it! At the same time we need more action and less debate. We all know the problem, let us solve it now.

D: Is Norway doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Several experts point to the fact that the situation has not changed dramaticly since US actions several years ago.

LS: We aim to strengthen human rights and democracy and the respect for international laws. At the same time we must face the fact that not all humans are good. We must be prepared to defend our freedom, as we have done in the past. Therefor we need more combat troops. We recomend at elast another batalion. We also wish that Norwgian troops be deployed to the south, where they are needed the most.

D: Has the Financial crisis changed anything regarding your partys position vis-a-vis the European Union?

LS: Not at this point. While there are many good things about the EU, we believe that the two referendums made by the people should count. At least for now.

D: And finally: What will you do for the enviroment?

LS: Norway should be a modern enviromental nation. the threats to important ecosystems must be taken seriously. We are technologyoptimists and believe that with current and future innovations we will be able to find ways to improve the enviromental situation once again.

D:Thank you.

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Seventh Interview

This will be with the Christian Democratic party, and its leader Dagfinn Hřybrĺten.



Dagbladet: Thank you for answering our readers questions. I would like to start with the following: What does the Kristelig Folkeparti plan to do in order to counter the effects of the financial crisis?

Dagfinn Hřybrĺten: A restricted financial policy is important. That is what has lessened the preassure on the Norwegian currency during the last years. It must be clear that the market competition must not be regulated. The current situation will end later this year.

D: Criminality has rissen sharpishly in the last two decades in Norway, What will you do, if you get elected?

DH: Crime is best prevented by good education and good family values. But the police is important and we will enlarge their numbers and improve their education. We strive for having more police visible.

D: Is Norway doing the right thing in Afghanistan? Several experts point to the fact that the situation has not changed dramaticly since US actions several years ago.

DH: Norway is known to contribute to peace, democracy and support of human rights. It is very important that Norway continues to be a stronghold for NATO in all areas. The conflicts in the middle-east is the most important issue today, Terrorism is bustling with activity adn that is unaccptable and must be fought globally. Afghanistan is a part of this conflict. We must strive to secure Israels existence.

D: Has the Financial crisis changed anything regarding your partys position vis-a-vis the European Union?

DH: No, the EEA guarantees Norways acess to EUs inner market while maintainging natioanl self-determination. We see no reason to change this.

D: And finally: What will you do for the enviroment?

DH: We stand for an active enviromental policy. And we support solidarity with the poor nations, we will strive to help them to be better at combating enviromental effects in their area.

D:Thank you.

DH: God bless you.

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hackers manipulate dagbladet.no

As was seen yesterday, hackers attacked our internetsite. The purpose was to edit the photo of the Christian Democratic partyleader, Dagfinn Hřybrĺten. It is presumed that the hacker attack was performed by the black block, the anarchistic left, or possibly the Socialist Youth League of the Socialistic Left Party. The incident has been reported to the police. Here is the correct picture again.

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Norwegian ships to be armed

In light of the growing pirate problem around the world while recognizing the importance of open sealanes to the worlds fifth largest merchant navy, the Kingdom of Norway has decided to arm the 400+ ships of the Norwegian Ship Register. This will consist of armed soldiers of the Norwegian Defence Force being brought onboard the above mentioned ships, while these pass thru the area between the Seychelles and the Saudiarabian city of Jeddah. The soldiers will be stationed at sea onboard three Frigates of the Fridtjof Nansen-class, and KV Svalbard and KV Andenes of the Norwegian Coast Guard. This is a temporary measure until proper international measures are in effect.

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Norway commits to ecofriendly energy

In a move to increase total european ecofriendly energy, the government has today authorized the construction of both offshore and onshore wind farms in Nordland Fylke. It will be concentrated around the town of Vega. The wind ramrs will be built in two stages, stage 1 consists of 40 turbines with a total capacity of 80 MW. These will be placed onshore. Stage 2 consisted of 60 turbines for a total of 120 MW. Stage 2 will be the fourth biggest offshore wind farm in europe when finished in 2011. The combined capacity of the two stages will be 200 MW making it the biggest wind farm concentration in Norway. Stateowned company Statkraft will oversee construction and running of the farms. For the future more windfarms are planned for the area. The Government wishes for Norway to be able to export ecofriendly wind energy in the range of at least 5000 MW within 15 years.

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Police arrest suspects of ISAF killing



Police arrested two suspects of the ISAF killing in Kongsvinger last week. The two were trying to leave the country and Norwegian police made a hot pursuit after a VW Transporter that crossed the border. The actual arrest was made inside Sweden, an action that is leal since a few years back. Police declined to comment on the two suspects, who will be tranfered to Oslo for further questioning.

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Norway to increase commitment?

During a hearing in the stortinget today, the Prime Minister said that Norway may have to commit more forces to Afghanistan and possibly be prepared to deploy to the south. Stoltenberg refers to the increasingly unstable situation that now has spread to neighbouring nations was proof that forces in-theathre were not enough.

The position was heavily criticized by several parties. Most notably the Socialsit Left, on grounds that the war was immoral as is already. Left criticized on the other hand that Norway currently is not able to field more forces anywhere unless reserves were tactivated, wich would be a first for Norway since the war.

As elections nears, Defence seems to be one of the biggest questions along with personal integrity, crime and unemployment.

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First polls presented

The first statistically correct polls for the upcomming election are in:

29,1% Labour
23,4% Progress Party
13,9% Socialist Left
8,3% Conservative
7,9% Left (Liberal)
5,1% Christian Democratic Party
4,9% Centre Party
3,4% Pirate Party
1,5% Red (communist)
1,1% Pensioners Party
0,7% Coast Party
0,1% Democrats (Extreme right)

Most noteworthy is the 3,4% for the newcomers of the Pirate Party. Altough observers say that the pirate partys supporters are generally younger men, who are amongst the most notorious non-voters in the country and it could be difficult for them to get the actual votes come electionday. The Progress Party seems to make up for the loss of its popular former leader, Carl I. Hagen, very well under the new leader Siw Jensen and is noted for a record 23,4%.

We can expect a lot more polls in the following months as the antion gears up for elections come september.

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General Sverre Diesen resigns

The commander of the Norwegian Defence Force, General Sverre Diesen, has chosen to resign from his post. The well-known general cited reasons of differenting opinions between the governments orders, the funding provided at the infrastructure present.

Anonymus sources indicate that the burden added to the defence forces with the operation off the horn of africa was "unmanagable", and that within just a few months the strain on the small defence force would lead to the need of personell being drawn fromt he regular duties to perfom security missions abroad. Alternativly activating the reserves in order to fill empty slots int he planning for Q4 2009.

It is expected that no new supreme commander be announced until after the elections in september.

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Worlds first 4G-net

Telenor has recieved funds from the government for a more rapid construction of the future 4G-net. The 4G-net, capable of up to 150 Mbits/s wireleessly, will cover 99% of Norway and Sweden, and is being built for Norways stateowned Telenor and Swedens private Tele2. Lead technical development will continuedly be handled by Finnish IT-company TietoEnator from their offices in Stockholm. The new timetable foresees an introduction to customers as early as mid-2011.

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Government says no to rescueplans

The Government has announced that they will not rescue Norwegian shipping giant Wilhelm Wilhelmsen AS. The company has struggled to maintain the orderbooks and had asked for a government rescue where the state would own up to 25% of the company.

Prime Minister Stoltenberg said that rescueing banks was one thing, rescuing companies that hardly employ norwegian citizens was a different thing.

The decision was heavily criticized by oppositionparties and Socialistic Left as well.

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Rescuepackage signed

The Government has signed a rescuepackage for the struggling carmaker Th!nk. The deal sees the state controling 50,1% of the company stock in exchange for an investment worth 368 million €.

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Latest polls are here!

With electionday nearing, Polls will be published more and more often. The latest one indicates the following results, should elections be held today:

27,2% Labour
23,0% Progress Party
16,3% Socialist Left
8,5% Conservative
7,9% Left (Liberal)
5,0% Christian Democratic Party
4,3% Centre Party
3,5% Pirate Party
1,6% Red (communist)
1,9% Pensioners Party
0,6% Coast Party
0,1% Democrats (Extreme right)

It seems that the recent turbulence of the Supreme Commander elaving his positions has had a negative efffect on the ruling Labour rather than other coalitionparties. The socialsit Lefts thrusts for wind farms has had a notable positive effect, nearly +3% from the last poll. smaller variances are noted amongst most parties with the exception of the Pensioners Party who nearly doubled since last poll. Experts predict that the current financial crisis effect on the interestrates of the pensionfunds (eg lower pensions) has contributed significantly to this result.

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Tri-nation expedition

A NorwegiAn initiative for a polar research expedition has been agreed upon, together with Sweden and Denmark. The expedition will conduct research into underwater ridge- and mountainformations to establish where the nordic EEZs actually are located. We see this as a continuation of the 2008 expedition with the crown princes and crown princess to the polar regions.

Several ships has left thier ports and are en route to Svalbard, before moving towards the north pole.

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Kristin Halvorsen diagnosed cancer

The Partyleader for Socialist Left has been diagnosed with cancer in a late stage. Doctors say that it is terminal and have given her "between 3 and 6 months". Halvorsen herself has stated that she will contiue as partyleader until elections next month, but will not be part of a future government or storting. All other partyleaders have voewed to commit more funds to cancer research in the future, and that they feel very sad for a true friend and antagonist.

Analysts have commented that this could bring a symphaty vote to the socialist left, possibly several procent.

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Democrats not to candidate to Stortinget

The political party the Democrats has announced that they have revoked their intention of running for the Stortinget elections. A press statement was released by the party endorsing the Progress partys bid to Stortinget.