Afghanistan

The number of Norwegian personnel serving in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is now approximately 350. In 2005, Afghanistan will again be the most important area in which Norwegian military forces are engaged overseas, and a moderate increase in our contribution here is envisaged. This is in accord with NATO’s priorities. This involvement will continue to be predominantly in and around Kabul, including participation in the multinational brigade by providing a company-strength unit which forms part of a multinational battlegroup. Norway takes on the role of lead nation for this battlegroup in 2005. We will, in addition, contribute a number of staff officers for ISAF’s headquarters and for the international brigade headquarters. We will also be continuing our commitment at Kabul airport where we have a number of firefighters serving in a joint Nordic unit.

We also have a team of about 25 personnel stationed in Meymaneh in northern Afghanistan. Together with a Finnish contingent, these personnel form part of a so-called Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) which is led by the United Kingdom. Some strengthening of the team in Meymaneh may be appropriate.

The Balkans

Since summer 2004 we have deployed a helicopter unit consisting of 4 transport helicopters as a contribution to the Kosovo Force (KFOR). This commitment will be maintained through to summer 2005. Apart from this, the intention is to maintain our commitment to provide a number of staff officers for duty at NATO headquarters both in Kosovo and in Macedonia.

The EU launched Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia at the beginning of December. This coincided with the winding down of NATO’s Stabilisation Force (SFOR).

Norway will be participating in the EU operation with a small number of staff officers and a liaison team.

The Baltic

As a part of NATO’s collective support for the patrol and policing of the airspace in the Baltic area, Norway has contributed an Air Control Unit which has been operating since April 2004. This contribution will be maintained until 1 April 2005. For the period 12 January until 1 April 2005 we shall also be contributing four F-16 fighter aircraft to assist with airspace policing over the Baltic countries. This forms part of an arrangement covering the period to summer 2006 whereby allied countries provide units on a rotational basis.

Mediterranean / Operation Active Endeavour

NATO’s maritime operation Active Endeavour will continue. Norway’s participation has consisted of a submarine deployed for a period this autumn. In 2005 there are plans to participate with one submarine for a relatively short period in the spring, and to contribute a maritime patrol aircraft for a longer period in the autumn. In addition there are plans to make up to 4 MTB maritime patrol craft available for policing of the waters round Gibraltar during the second half of 2005.

NRF (NATO Response Force)

The NRF provides NATO with a robust and credible high readiness capability and is capable of deployment to an operational area at very short notice. The force elements assigned to the NRF therefore have to maintain a high state of readiness during the periods when they are on stand-by. Norway has assigned force elements from all three armed services to NRF 4 and 5. These will be on stand-by during the first and second six months of 2005 respectively. Telemark Battalion is one of the force contributions on standby for NRF 4.

Iraq

In 2005 Norway plans to continue its participation in the international stabilisation force, the Multinational Force – Iraq (MNF-I), and will be contributing up to 10 staff officers. The Norwegian personnel will form part of the British and Polish divisional headquarters staff.

The Government has in addition decided to offer a limited number of personnel to serve with the NATO Training Mission – Iraq (NTM-I). The purpose of the NATO mission is to assist with the training of Iraqi security personnel. Norway’s contribution will be to provide instructors, staff officers and support personnel associated with the training activities.

Sudan

Since the Joint Monitoring Commission was set up in 2002, Norway has contributed a number of officers serving with the multinational force engaged in monitoring the Nuba Mountains ceasefire agreement. The force will be integrated with the forthcoming UN operation in Sudan.

Preparations are in hand to contribute a contingent of up to 20 personnel to the UN operation. The contingent will include staff officers/observers and a small medical team once the operation is set in motion.

Ethiopia/Eritrea

The present contribution of five officers to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) will be maintained.

Middle East

Norway has for many years provided observers for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO). The present contribution of 10-12 officers will be continued in 2005.

Similarly, the Norwegian contribution of three officers for service with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Sinai will be continued in 2005.