Norway Daily No. 200/99

The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Oslo Press Division

Norway Daily No. 200/99

DATE: 18 October 1999

PROPOSAL TO SECURE PENSIONS

(Aftenposten-Saturday)

Future retirees may possibly receive higher pensions than what they can now count on from the social security system. A panel appointed by the Government proposes a reform under which employers will set aside a fixed percentage of each employees pay every month. The final pension will consist of the sum of this withholding plus accumulated yield. The reform will be presented to the Minister of Finance early next month.

GOVERNMENT CRITICIZED FOR LACK OF ACTION

(Dagsavisen)

The Storting's finance committee will receive a highly critical letter from some of the most prominent figures in Norwegian business and industry. The letter expresses indirect criticism of the Bondevik Government for its lack of initiative on the matter of ensuring the future of social security in Norway. The letter focuses particularly on the rights of future pensioners.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WIDELY APPLAUDED

(Aftenposten-Saturday)

After many years of peace prizes with a political profile, the Nobel Committee has returned to its old tradition of lauding a dedicated humanitarian effort. "Many were worthy among the 136 candidates this year, but Médecins Sans Frontières deserves it the most," said Prof. Francis Sejersted after announcing the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

REPORT DENOUNCES BONDEVIK'S ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD

(Dagbladet)

The Bondevik Government and Minister of the Environment Guro Fjellanger have let Norway's environmental ratings slide towards the bottom. Only US environmental policy scored lower in a report on environmental efforts in ten industrialized countries written by John Hille of the social and environmental reform group, "The Future in Our Hands" (Norw. Framtiden i våre hender).

TELENOR BOARD HOLDS CRISIS MEETING

(Dagens Næringsliv)

Even as late in the game as yesterday, there were people central to the Telenor/Telia merger who would not swear that the it would ever become a reality. Only a few weeks ago, the Telenor board threatened to recommend breaking off the whole process, and considered doing it again yesterday. But according to plans, the agreement is to be signed today.

HÅGENSEN ASKS HERMANSEN TO SHOW MODERATION

(Verdens Gang)

Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) boss and staunch social democrat Yngve Hågensen is asking his old friend Tormod Hermansen, also a staunch social democrat, to turn down an annual salary of NOK 7 million. "I understand the reactions of rank-and-file representatives to salary levels in Telia/Telenor," says Mr. Hågensen, who believes excessive executive pay in the new Norwegian-Swedish telecom giant could have a negative impact on organized labour's policy of moderation, already under heavy pressure, when next year's pay settlements are to be negotiated.

HAGEN CALLS FOR INCREASE IN STATE OWNERSHIP

(Dagbladet)

The state must be a more active capitalist, in the view of Progress Party chairman Carl I. Hagen, and oil revenues must be invested in Norwegian industry. Foreign investors must be prevented from buying up Norwegian enterprises at cut-rate prices, and government funds must secure retirement pensions. Despite his market liberalism, Mr. Hagen no longer trusts the market to secure Norway's future. He wants national capital to fuel national industry.

NORWEGIANS HEALTHIEST IN EUROPE

(Verdens Gang)

In the EU's survey of standards of living in EU and EEA countries, Norwegians come out as the healthiest national group in Europe. We smoke the least, we drink less alcohol and we work the least, giving us more leisure time than any other Europeans.

WORTH NOTING

• Former Conservative Prime Minister Jan P. Syse blocked Kjell Magne Bondevik's efforts to implement a cash benefits scheme when they formed a coalition government in 1989. Mr. Syse felt the scheme would cost too much. (Dagsavisen-Saturday)
• Minister of Children and Family Affairs Valgerd Svarstad Haugland says it is alarming when children disappear without a trace. She now demands efforts to find out what is happening to children who disappear from Norwegian refugee centres. (Aftenposten-Saturday)
• In a majority vote taken on 12 August, the DnB board of directors refused to grant Kjell Inge Røkke a NOK 2.25 billion loan. But in an extraordinary board meeting held the next day, the board yielded to heavy pressure from chairman Gerhard Heiberg and group president Svein Aaser, paving the way for Mr. Røkke's raid on Aker RGI. (Dagens Næringsliv-Saturday)
• The Christian Democratic Youth's political programme committee calls for acceptance of abortion on demand (with mandatory counselling), legal recognition of domestic partnerships, and Norwegian membership of the EU. These proposals are so controversial that they could split the party's youth organization. (Vårt Land-Saturday)
• "This is insane. These views fly in the face of Christian Democratic values and principles. They will do the party nothing but harm," says Chr.Dem. MP Anita Apelthun Sæle of the youth organization's proposals. (Aftenposten-Saturday)
• A Swedish survey of the Scandinavian wolf population shows that the wolves are migrating westward to Norway. Of five wolf groups in which live births were registered, three were in Norway, one in the borderlands and only one was in Sweden. The survey registered between 62 and 78 wolves in Norway and Sweden this winter. (Nationen)
• For the first time, Norway exported over NOK 30 billion worth of goods in a single month. The value of Norwegian exports in September was NOK 33.4 billion, with oil and gas accounting for half. (Aftenposten)

TODAY'S COMMENT

Commentators are unusually unanimous in their expressions of approval for the awarding of this year's Nobel Peace Prize to Médecins Sans Frontières. Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk laud the choice as a recognition of all humanitarian efforts. "Worthy" and "no problem" are expressions used by Carl I. Hagen (Progress). There are no doubt those who were hoping for a controversial decision which would prompt diplomatic posturing and plenty of noise in the media. Such people will be disappointed by the awarding of the peace prize to an organization which was immediately swamped with congratulations from the entire political landscape. We would like to echo the sentiments expressed by Thorbjørn Jagland (Labour), who notes the positive aspects of a choice which has met with wide acclaim. Mr. Jagland rightly points out that there is no intrinsic value either in a controversial choice or a widely-approved choice. The task of the Nobel Committee is simply to decide on the best candidate among many deserving nominees. Controversial assessments made in a short-term perspective would soon undermine the Peace Prize's prestige. The fact that no one has problems with this year's prizewinner does not mean that Médecins Sans Frontières has no impact and arouses no controversy. (Vårt Land)