Category Archives: Norway

Norwegian PM Urges Obama To Lead

Posted on November 6, 2008 by | 1 Comment

Jens Stoltenberg, prime minister of Norway, is reacting to eight years of failed Bush leadership by urging the newly elected president to assume the fight to restore America’s position in the world as a moral leader. He emphasized his nation wishes to cooperate with the new leader of America, but he also made clear: “we expect the USA to take the international lead on important issues, on the basis of dialogue and cooperation. In order o handle the major global challenges facing us, we need joint solutions. this is true for the financial crisis, the climate policy, the fight against poverty and our efforts for peace and security.”

Most nations of the world want to end the Bush unilateral approach to dealing with major issues. Bush enjoyed being the person who created problems and then sought assistance from other nations in order to clean up his mess. The world is tired of such attitudes toward problems and wants joint cooperation in identifying the best path to solve problems.

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Posted in 2008 Elections, Barack Obama, Conservatives, Democrats, Europe, George Bush, Human Rights, Iraq War, Liberals, Norway, Peace, Politics, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, World News

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Reality Of Trying To Train Afghan Police!

Posted on October 1, 2008 by | Leave a comment

During the past five years, Norwegian police have been assigned the task of retraining Afghans to serve in a modern police force. The latest report of their success and failure leans more to the negative than to the positive. According to the Norwegian police analysis of what has happened over the past five years, the following are indicative of trials and tribulations of the Norwegians:

In July of this year, an Afghan officer who was being trained as an instructor, took two police cars and nine colleagues and headed off to defect to the Taliban.

Tests conducted on the police recruits for the police program revealed 95% of them tested positive for cannabis and amphetamines.

The police were assigned the task of destroying 50,000 hectares of opium production. They destroyed 4,300 hectares.

Female Afghan police officers are the targets of sexual attacks by their superiors.

Afghan police are reportedly freeing persons arrested on narcotics charges in return for bribes.

Torgrim Moseby, who plays a key role in the training program believes many who have been accepted into the program have ties to tribal chiefs and to the Taliban.

Reality is that Afghanistan will not have its problems resolved by additional brigades of soldiers unless there are efforts to restore dignity to members of the Afghan armed forces and ensure they are well paid and properly led.

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Posted in Asia, Gender Issues, George Bush, Human Rights, Islam, Military, Multicultural, Norway, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, War, World News

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Racism In Norway Where There Are Few Black Faces

Posted on September 30, 2008 by | 332 Comments

The state church of Norway has found itself embroiled in a conflict over the presence of one of their ministers in the town of Oppdal which is in the mountains. The local church leader has come under sharp criticism after he prevented a pastor, who originally comes from Sierra Leone, from participating in several funerals because relatives did not want a black skin pastor having anything to do with the final send off of their dead relative. Pastor Joseph Moiba has been told by local residents, that people like himself, “don’t fit in Norway” and the pastor has been physically and verbally abused. Nils-Tore Andersen, leader of the state church council, Kirkeradet, is shocked because in his view, the church should be a leader in the fight against racism.

Andersen’s reaction to family complaints concerning a black skinned man participating in funerals was “we try to meet the wishes of families in a funeral, but there’s a limit.” Andersen was upset the local pastor acceded to requests of families and barred Moiba from participating in several funerals.

Moiba is on a sick leave due to stress caused by the incidents and he fears they will resume when he returns to duty. One can only wonder how such intensity of feeling can emerge from people who have so little contact with Africans.

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Posted in Europe, Human Rights, Multicultural, Norway, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, World News

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NOrway Reserves Academic Posts For Women Only

Posted on September 5, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Tora Aasland, Minister For Research and Higher Education, has decided to break rules of the European Union which forbid discriminating in hiring due to gender. She said next year’s budget would contain money that is earmarked for academic posts that can only be filled by women. She argued the gap in technology and science is great and there is need to close it by aggressively fostering the hiring of women for academic positions. “We used this method in the 1990′s and I believe that is why we had so many women doing post doctoral work when the scheme was ended in 2003. I hope the earmarked funds will be a useful tool” in closing the gender gap in higher education.

The 1900′s initiative had to be halted due to European Union complaints it violated equal rights. Aasaland intends to lobby for changes that will allow specific programs to deal with gender bias that already exists.

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Posted in Education, Europe, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Norway, Politics, Social Justice, World News

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Norway Urges– Let’s Talk With Osama bin Laden!

Posted on August 28, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Raymond Johansen, Norway’s Foreign Minister, has urged his nation to explore the possibility of entering into a dialogue with Osama bin Laden. “You don’t make peace with your friends, but with your enemies.” he noted. He pointed out that President Karzai of Afghanistan had also called for reconciliation among various groups fighting in his nation. Johansen emphasized that negotiation are not a sign of weakness but of strength. His comments came in the wake of a visit to Afghanistan by Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey who is advocating discussions with Taliban leaders. The Swiss Foreign Minister noted that her nation does not have any troops fighting in Afghanistan which makes it logical for it to raise the issue of negotiation.

Despite being willing to have discussions with Osama bin Laden, the Norwegian Foreign Minister has no illusions they would ever occur because the terrorist leader would “prefer rather to take the lives of infidels.” Johansen most probably is correct, but, then again, there is nothing to lose by trying to have discussions.

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Posted in Human Rights, Iraq War, Islam, Multicultural, Muslims, Norway, Peace, Politics, Social Justice, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

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Somalians Won’t Integrate In Norway

Posted on August 27, 2008 by | 1 Comment

A Somalian woman who came to Norway 10 years ago has just written a sharp indictment of her fellow Somalians for their failure to integrate within Norwegian society. She blames the lack of integration is due to Somali males who fear becoming more Norwegian threatens their culture and control over Somali women. She says many regard the Norwegians as infidels and lack trust or interest in their ideas. The anonymous author of “See Us” fears revealing her real name due to potential violence on the part of male religious fundamentalists. Among her charges against fellow Somalians is that many women “divorce” in order to receive welfare benefits but continue living under the authority of her husband.

The book argues women and children are kept isolated and females face physical brutality from males. At present, there are about 20,000 Somalians living in Norway, mainly concentrated in the Oslo area.

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Posted in Europe, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Multicultural, Norway, Politics, Social Justice, World News

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Norway Welcomes Immigrants

Posted on August 19, 2008 by | Leave a comment

At a time when most nations of the world are imposing restrictions on immigrants, Norway is reaching out to encourage refugees to seek a home on its shores. The immigration service of Norway is even publishing what some critics term a “recipe” for winning asylum in the country. Asylum seekers can obtain a higher score if they are homosexuals or if they come from Iraq and face dangers of death at the hands of militants. Immigrants are being encouraged to be part of a woman’s network either in their own land or as part of some international group.

Not only is Norway offering immigrants an opportunity to find safety in its country but government officials are reaching out to Norwegian towns and urging them to provide housing and other benefits in order to assist newcomers secure an affordable life in Norway. The Norwegian approach stands in sharp contrast to that of many other nations

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Posted in Europe, Human Rights, Muslims, Norway, Peace, Politics, United States, World News

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Norwegian Islamic Council Considers Death For Gays

Posted on August 5, 2008 by | Leave a comment

The Norwegian Islamic Council has requested advice from the European Fatwa Council before it decides whether or not it is in favor of the death penalty for homosexuals. Asmeth Rasmussen, a Lesbian activist, expressed horror at the fact the Norwegian Islamic Council even asked for an opinion from another Islamic group before stating bluntly its opposition to such ridiculous ideas as advocating death for gays and lesbians. “It’s wrong of the Norwegian Council to wait for the ‘verdict’ from the Fatwa Council in such an important case. By not saying ‘no’ to death penalties for gays, it shows attitudes that conflict with both democratic and humanitarian values.” Ms. Rasmussen is the only openly lesbian Muslim in Norway.

The Islamic Council, which represents 60,000 Muslims in Norway, insists it needs “the attitude of authority” before declaring what it believes. The Norwegian Islamic Council should recognize it is presenting living in a society which regards archaic and medieval ideas such as killing those who are homosexual to be without any foundation in human decency.

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Posted in Europe, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, Muslims, Norway, Politics, Social Justice, World News

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Immigrants Welcome But Not Foreign Food!

Posted on August 2, 2008 by | Leave a comment

The Norwegian economy now depends on the immigration of foreign labor from east European nations in order to harvest its crops, but Norwegian farmers are very hostile to allowing in food grown in other nations. Latest figures indicate about 70% of Norwegian farmers now rely on east European workers to handle their harvest. According to Pal Haugsbo, leader of the Norwegian Farmerss Union, commented: “That sounds like a high figure to me, but it’s no secret that we need workers from the expanded EU area.” He apparently sees no contradiction in reaching out to European sources for needed labor, but violently opposing the importation of crops from other EU nations.

At the heart of the need for foreign workers is a desire on the part of Norwegian farmers to reduce food costs so they can be competitive on the world market. “it’s access to cheap labor which allows Norwegian farms to scape by in the face of high costs, in order to compete with cheap imports, it;s obviously an advantage to employ labor that doesn’t demand high wages,” noted Mr. Haugsbo.

Norway, like most post industrial societies depends on importation of cheap labor because the existing educated work force does not wish to engage in hard physical work. We are in a new era in which societies need foreign immigrants while political leaders rant on about immigrants.

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Posted in Europe, Human Rights, Multicultural, Norway, Politics, Social Justice, World News

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Immigration To Norway Soars To New Levels

Posted on July 18, 2008 by | 1 Comment

The number of people seeking asylum, or immigration to Norway has reached new heights and its immigration agency(UDI) is barely being able to cope with these demands. Norway is suffering from a severe labor shortage and needs immigrants which has compelled the UDI to process applications in order to meet work demands. There currently are 100,000 foreigners legally allowed to work in Norway which is up nearly 30% from last year. As many as 60 new asylum seekers are arriving in Norway every day and UDI director, Ida Borresen says by the end of this year the asylum total will reach nearly 15,000. She says asylum is being granted to at least 40% of applicants.

Norway is confronting the reality of lower sized families and the need for immigrants n societies entering 21st century post industrial situations. The United States needs its “illegal immigrants” because post industrial societies do not wish to deal with various types of work. At least Norway is openly and honestly dealing with reality.

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Posted in Europe, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Multicultural, Norway, Politics, Social Justice, United States, World News

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