The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Oslo Press Division

Norway Daily No. 38/00

Date: 23 February 2000

COALITION ANXIOUS FOR THE FUTURE (Dagsavisen)

Concern is mounting in the political centre that acceptance of gas-fired power plants could be the beginning of a political nightmare for the Bondevik Government. It is widely agreed, however, that certain possibilities do exist for the Government to evade the realities of the issue. There will always be ways for the Government to live with the Labour and Conservative parties’ proposition without giving the appearance of surrendering its integrity entirely.

BELLONA POINTS TO ALTERNATIVE (Dagsavisen)

In a meeting between the Bellona Environmental Foundation and the Liberal parliamentary group yesterday, Bellona spokesmen declared that emissions-free gas-burning power plants are already within the realm of possibility. It was suggested that a pipeline network would be necessary to pump CO ₂ back to the bottom of the sea, where it could be used to extract additional oil from existing oil fields and improve the economics of these projects. Bellona concedes that this solution would require enormous government subsidies, either in the form of tax exemptions or outright transfers.

LABOUR, CONSERVATIVES NOT IMPRESSED (Nationen)

"Bellona had nothing new to say. We are open for new ideas, of course, but the Government has already had nearly a year to come up with new proposals. They must have something substantial to offer in order to get us to change our views, and this just didn’t fit the bill," says Energy Committee deputy chairman Jan Tore Sanner (Cons.). "Based on the little I heard, nothing new was forthcoming," says Torny Pedersen (Lab.). The two sides thus seem further from each other than ever.

COALITION PARTIES ENRAGED BY LEGAL AID (Dagens Næringsliv)

The coalition parties are incensed at the discovery that Naturkraft has provided legal assistance to Labour and the Conservatives. The coalition parties demand to inspect the documents involved, but Naturkraft refuses. "We are involved in this matter and we had a need for the advice of legal professionals on the legal aspects of the matter. We have shared this advice with the group of legislators who have been working for our view," says Chief Information Officer Gro Mjellem of Naturkraft.

LABOUR CALLS TO RAISE TEACHERS’ PAY (Aftenposten)

Labour now proposes allocation of several billion kroner towards various measures aiming to improve teachers’ work situation. The party additionally calls for teachers’ pay to be raised to "competitive" levels. This brings hopes that there may be a sufficient parliamentary majority for a pay hike. Labour’s package includes NOK 1.5 billion per year for five years for further training and professional development measures. "Labour could have gone further, but this is a step in the right direction," says Helga Hjetland, president of the Norwegian Union of Teachers.

PHARMACIES HEADED FOR DEREGULATION (Aftenposten)

The Storting’s Standing Committee on Health and Social Affairs gave its recommendation yesterday to a bill which will liberalize the retail pharmaceutical trade. Unrestricted ownership and easier establishment are the main elements of the bill. It will no longer be necessary to be a licensed pharmacist in order to own a pharmacy. 400 years of a lucrative monopoly trade is now over as the Storting moves to allow freer competition, improved accessibility and customer service, more convenient opening hours and lower prices, all to the benefit of the consumer.

DnV FINDS BAZAN CAPABLE (Dagens Næringsliv)

Det norske Veritas (DnV) has declared its opinion that Bazan is able to build frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy within the framework of NOK 12.2 billion. A confidential report issued by DnV concludes that the project is technically feasible within the scope of the stipulated provisions and finances. It is expected that Bazan will be formally awarded the contract within a few days.

WORTH NOTING

1. "The Government would like to remain in office. But there are limits, and we will be extremely mindful of them in connection with the gas-power issue", said Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik yesterday. (NTB)
2. The coalition parties may propose economic incentives to encourage the construction of emissions-free gas-burning power plants. This strategy could run aground on EU standards regarding equal treatment, however. (Aftenposten)
3. The OECD’s annual report on the Norwegian economy declares that this year’s wage settlement will have a decisive influence on the direction taken by the Norwegian economy. Large pay increases could have positive short-term effects by spurring domestic consumption, but their inflationary influence will be detrimental in the long term. (NTB)
4. 11,000 employees have been sold along with 28 Kværner subsidiaries, and over 3,000 have lost their jobs in a merciless downscaling operation. Kværner took NOK 5.5 billion in losses last year. Group CEO Kjell Almskog is satisfied. (Dagsavisen)
5. Norwegian children are happy at school, they spend a lot of time with their friends and they take fewer anti-depressants than any other children in Europe, according to a study conducted by the World Health Organization. (Verdens Gang)

TODAY’S COMMENT from Verdens Gang

Minister of Education Jon Lilletun has proposed a new approach to the problem of bullying in the schools. He says the victims are not the ones who should have to move to other schools, and proposes a legislative amendment which would empower school authorities to move the bullies instead. Bullying is a widespread problem in Norwegian schoolyards and classrooms, yet parents and teachers seem inadequately prepared. Horror stories surface continually, and the adults involved are taken by surprise every time. As a rule, just a few pupils are the cause of the trouble. It is to be hoped that the prospect of being moved will be sufficient to keep bullies in check. If this measure does not arouse their empathy, it could at least frighten bullies into improving their behaviour.