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Defence
| Joint disarmament initiative in NATO |
| [Norwaynews] [28.02.2010, 09:03pm, Sun. GMT] |
 Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg have called on NATO to support efforts to achieve a world without nuclear weapons. “Our aim is to reduce the importance of nuclear weapons in NATO’s security policy,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The foreign ministers of the five countries presented a joint letter to the NATO Secretary General today advocating a comprehensive discussion on NATO’s nuclear policy at the Alliance’s next foreign ministers’ meeting, which will be in Tallinn in April.
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 | | | | Sweden offers new submarines |
| [Norwaynews] [22.12.2009, 08:28am, Tue. GMT] |
| Swedish defence industry lost out when Norway chose new jet fighters. Now the Swedes want to offer new submarines to replace Norway's old subs which will have to be renewed in about ten years. Sweden is one of few countries which still build submarines of the type which would fit the needs of the Norwegian Navy. In a few years the Norwegian Parliament (Storting) will have to decide whether or not to invest in new submarines at a cost of NOK 3-4 billion each. |
| | | | More Obama security precautions |
| [Norwaynews] [01.12.2009, 09:18pm, Tue. GMT] |
| More than 300 garbage cans will be removed from streets in downtown Oslo as security precautions when US president Barack Obama arrives in the capital to receive the Nobel Peace Prize next week. The Oslo police say it is a standard security routine to remove garbage cans along the streets where President Obama will travel. The Oslo refuse disposal service hopes the public will be kind enough to bring their refuse home or to the nearest available garbage can. In addition they will increase the number of street cleaners. |
| | | | NATO chief and Norway’s PM call for Afghan self-reliance |
| [Norwaynews] [06.11.2009, 05:41pm, Fri. GMT] |
Helping Afghans claim their future was the main theme of a meeting between NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in Oslo on Nov. 6, reports Monster and Critics “The way forward is that the Afghan people and government take responsibility for security in Afghanistan,” Rasmussen said. “Our mission in Afghanistan ends when Afghanistan is capable to take charge of its security. That is what we will help with.” The former Danish prime minister has been NATO chief since August. The visit to Oslo was the latest in his tour of NATO members aimed at shoring up support for the NATO mission in Afghanistan. |
| | | | Norway appoints first female general |
| [Norwaynews] [18.09.2009, 07:02pm, Fri. GMT] |
| The Norwegian army says it has appointed the country's first female general in a move to further improve gender equality. The army says in its announcement Friday that 51-year-old Kristin Lund will be promoted from brigadier. She was the first woman in Norway to hold that rank. Lund says she hopes the promotion will encourage women to join the army. In February 2008, NATO-member Norway appointed its first female vice admiral _ the naval equivalent of a lieutenant general _ a month after all private companies were required by law to have at least 40 percent women on their boards of directors. |
| | | | Crown Prince Haakon visits Afghanistan |
| [Norwaynews] [25.08.2009, 06:34pm, Tue. GMT] |
On Aug. 24 Crown Prince Haakon of Norway visited Afghanistan. Together with the Norwegian Chief of Defence, General Sverre Diesen, Crown Prince Haakon visited the Norwegian military troop stationed in Meymaneh, northern Afghanistan. “It was nice for me to visit and see with my own eyes how the situation is for the Norwegian forces in Afghanistan. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m very impressed by their contributions,” said Crown Prince Haakon after the one day visit. |
| | | | Norwegian Army moves north |
| [Norwaynews] [05.08.2009, 06:20pm, Wed. GMT] |
| Norway has moved the headquarters of its Army from Oslo to the northern town of Bardufoss. The moving is part of a general strengthening of the country’s military capacities in the High North. , reports the Barents Observer. The moving comes as practically all key parts of the Norwegian Armed Forces are moved to the northern parts of the country. In the course of the year, the whole head command will operate from Reitan, a defence centre outside the city of Bodø. |
| | | | Norway Nationals - "Entry Denied" |
| [Norwaynews] [29.06.2009, 10:28am, Mon. GMT] |
 A Norwegian family of actors has been denied entry to Israel, because their Interior Ministry believes they may try to settle there. The family members play the main roles in the musical "The Covenant," which tells the story of the People of Israel. They were planning to perform around Israel this summer. The couple, Elizabeth and Robert Muren, wrote and composed the musical about the history of the Jewish People from Abraham until today. The late Israeli composer Ehud Manor translated the show into Hebrew, and even wrote the family a letter of recommendation, calling them "wonderful and talented ... enthusiastic Zionists and true lovers of the State of Israel and the Jewish People."
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| | | | Norway amongst the top 15 military spenders |
| [Norwaynews] [17.06.2009, 03:31pm, Wed. GMT] |
| Norway spends more on military per capita than any other European nation, according to the latest figures from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Norway spent USD 5,9 billion on its military in 2008, and that is far down on the list of the world’s different nations spending on military. In comparison, Russia spent USD 38 billion on its military in 2008. But if you divide the military spending by population, the figures are somewhat different. |
| | | | Norway to Begin F-35 Negotiations |
| [Norwaynews] [10.06.2009, 03:40pm, Wed. GMT] |
| Norway’s defense ministry is to begin negotiations on the purchase of up to 56 Lockheed Martin F-35As after parliament voted to accept its recommendation of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) over the Saab Gripen NG, Aviationweek Media said. Negotiations are expected to take two years, and the government is required to return to parliament in the spring for authorization to begin negotiating the final contract. Norway is already a partner in the JSF program. Despite an effort by the right-wing Progress Party to send the fighter decision back to the government for further analysis, a majority in parliament voted to endorse the government’s November selection of the F-35. |
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| Stricter security measures at Oslo Airport |
| [Norwaynews] [29.12.2009, 01:37pm, Tue. GMT] |
| Oslo Airport Gardermoen has introduced stricter security measures for all passengers travelling to the United States, following Saturday's incident on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, when a passenger ignited chemicals on board. In addition to the screening at the departure lounge, we now also have an extended security check at the gate, says press spokesperson Sofie Bruun to NRK. Passengers travelling to New York must also show hand luggage, and must be prepared for additional checks. |
| | | | Satisfactory security around Obama's visit |
| [Norwaynews] [11.12.2009, 06:53pm, Fri. GMT] |
| Around 3000 police officers have been engaged in the strict security arrangements around Oslo and the surrounding area during US President Barack Obama's visit to the Norwegian capital. The Oslo Police say they are satisfied with the arrangements, and that they have functioned as planned. Only three persons were detained for breach of thee peace. The police had contacted groups that had planned demonstrations during Obama's visit, and describe the dialogue as "an investment in peaceful hours" in downtown Oslo on Thursday evening. |
| | | | NOK 90 million to cover Obama's security |
| [Norwaynews] [29.11.2009, 06:30pm, Sun. GMT] |
| The Norwegian Government has allocated NOK 92 million to cover extraordinary costs in providing security for US President Barack Obama when he arrives in Oslo to accept his Nobel Peace Prize in December. The police will have NOK 80 million to draw on, and the Norwegian Defence NOK 12 million. Justice Minister Knut Storberget has said that if needed, another NOK 42 million will be available, depending on the length of Obama's visit. Nothing is official as yet, but the President may make a short stop-over at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen, before landing in Oslo on December 9th and depart on December 11th. This is the largest and most demanding security arrangement we have ever encountered in Norway, Storberget says to NRK. |
| | | | Norwegian defense minister visits Afghanistan |
| [Norwaynews] [26.09.2009, 05:39pm, Sat. GMT] |
| Norwegian Defense Minister Anne Greta Erickson paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan Saturday and met with her Afghan counterpart General Abdul Rahim Wardak, a press release of Afghan Defense Ministry said. During the meeting, matters pertaining security situation in Afghanistan, presidential election and strengthening Afghan security forces came under discussion, the press release said. Some 500 Norwegian forces have been serving in Afghanistan within the framework of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). |
| | | | Norway denounces death sentences in Congo trial |
| [Norwaynews] [09.09.2009, 07:20pm, Wed. GMT] |
| Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere says the sentencing of the two Norwegian citizens to death by a military tribunal in Kisangani, DR Congo on Tuesday, is completely unacceptable. "Norway is against the death penalty on principle, and I will contact the Congolese Foreign Minister to make our position clear: “I will emphasise that legal safeguards must be maintained, and that we hold the Congolese authorities responsible for the safety of the two Norwegians. I will also request that Norway’s views are communicated to the appropriate authorities in Kisangani," Stoere said. |
| | | | Special police squad planned |
| [Norwaynews] [24.08.2009, 08:56am, Mon. GMT] |
Justice Minister Knut Storberget has called for a new police squad to be established to fight organised mobile criminal gangs, which have become a serious problem across the nation. The new squad will be based on cooperation between the Highway Police, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (KRIPOS) and the local police precincts. When crime turns mobile, the special squad must also be mobile, the Justice Minister says. |
| | | | Norway, Croatia to join EU’s anti-piracy mission |
| [Norwaynews] [29.07.2009, 11:09pm, Wed. GMT] |
| Norway is to send two frigates to join the European Union’s anti-piracy mission in Somalia, and Croatia is also set to send ships, the EU’s top diplomat said Monday. The two countries’ decision is an ‘important addition’ to EU Operation Atalanta, EU High Representative Javier Solana said after talks with EU foreign ministers in Brussels. At the meeting, ministers debated the ongoing conflict in Somalia between government forces and rebels, condemning recent attacks on the government and on UN offices. |
| | | | New job for head of Special Branch |
| [Norwaynews] [28.06.2009, 09:20pm, Sun. GMT] |
| Head of the Norwegian Police Special Branch (PST), Joern Holme, has been appointed new head of the Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings (Riksantikvar) for a term of six years. In his capacity he will also act as expert adviser for the Department of the Environment. The 49-year old lawyer Holme has been head of the PST since 2004. |
| | | | Government ministers may have been under surveillance. |
| [Norwaynews] [11.06.2009, 06:45pm, Thu. GMT] |
| The National Bureau of Crime Investigation (KRIPOS) is investigating reports which claim that all Government ministers and several thousand department employees have been under illegal surveillance by the Defence Security Services. The Security Service has reportedly monitored all data traffic to the Prime Minister’s Office and the departments. A central source quoted by Dagbladet says the case may have reached enormous proportions. |
| | | | New Chief of Defence in Norway |
| [Norwaynews] [31.05.2009, 03:30pm, Sun. GMT] |
| Lieutenant General Harald Sunde has been appointed General and new Chief of Defence by the King in Council. Lieutenant General Sunde is currently Chief of the National Joint Headquarters. “It is with great joy and anticipation that I welcome Harald Sunde as the new Chief of Defence to take over from General Sverre Diesen in the autumn. General Sunde has all the necessary qualities to lead our Armed Forces,” says Defence minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen. |
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Special Interest
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Akershus
The world's larges tobacco company Phillip Morris International (PMI) is taking the Norwegian state to court. PMI wants the Norwegian ban on displaying tobacco products in stores lifted, Dagens Næringsliv reports. There is no scientific evidence that the ban has any health effect, says PMI communication director Anne Edwards to the newspaper. She points to Iceland, which introduced the ban against the display of tobacco in stores in 2001.
