“This is a historic decision which underscores the strong solidarity in NATO,” said Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg when commenting on the decision made today by Norway and the other NATO countries to comply with the request to assist the USA in defending the country against terrorist attacks.

“The USA has an incontestable right to defend itself, which is embodied in international law, the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions. For the first time, NATO has made a decision on the basis of the article that forms the very core of the Alliance, i.e. that an armed attack against one of the countries shall be considered an attack against them all.

“Norway supports the broad-based mobilization against terrorism. These efforts have top priority in the UN, NATO, the EU and a number of other fora. Norwegian measures are being closely coordinated with those of our Allies in NATO and our European partners, and those taken in the UN Security Council and other fora,” said Prime Minister Stoltenberg.

“Most countries are facing a heightened risk of terrorist acts since the attacks in the USA on 11 September. This also applies to Norway, and we must be prepared for the fact that this situation may persist. We have no information indicating that there is any threat directed specifically against Norway, but we must nonetheless take the necessary precautions both nationally and in cooperation with other countries,” said the Prime Minister.

“International terrorism is a threat to everyone, regardless of nationality, religion or ethnic background. This is not a battle against Islam, but against forces that threaten basic human and humanistic values that are common to all religions. We must wage this battle in a way that is not perceived as threatening or offensive by any segments of the population,” stressed Prime Minister Stoltenberg.

At a press conference at 16.30 today, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Thorbjørn Jagland and Defence Minister Bjørn Tore Godal outlined a number of Norwegian measures designed to support the efforts to combat international terrorism. Moreover, Minister of Justice Hanne Harlem is currently in Moscow attending a conference of European Justice Ministers, where one of the topics is combating international terrorism.

The Prime Minister gave the following account of the most important measures that have been taken since the attacks:

Resolutions adopted in the UN Security Council and the North Atlantic Council

After the attacks on New York and Washington D.C. on 11 September, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the attacks and confirming the USA’s right of individual and collective self-defence in accordance with the UN Charter.

On 28 September, the Security Council adopted a comprehensive resolution (SR 1373) on combating terrorism and the financing of terrorism. These resolutions are binding on all countries and constitute the basis in international law for measures to combat international terrorism. However, the Security Council adopted a binding resolution concerning the surrender of Osama bin Laden as early as December 2000.

On 12 September the North Atlantic Council established that if it is determined that the attacks against the USA were directed from abroad, they shall be regarded as an attack on all the Allies. On 2 October the USA submitted material showing that bin Laden and the network he leads are behind the attacks. The North Atlantic Council confirmed that the attacks are therefore covered by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty and shall be regarded as an attack on all the Allies. This is the basis for the decision taken in the Council today to make military resources available.

Request from the USA for assistance from NATO and the Allied member countries

On 3 October the USA requested the assistance of NATO and the member countries. There is unanimous support for this, and the North Atlantic Council decided today to comply with the request. The Government joined the decision after conferring with the chairmen of the political parties represented in the Storting.

The assistance is a matter of support measures such as blanket overflight clearances for US and other Allies’ aircraft, permission to use ports and airfields, deployment of NATO’s Airborne Early Warning force (AWACS) and, if necessary, deployment of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces to the Eastern Mediterranean. For Norway this means that Norwegian personnel who are now employed in a NATO unit or headquarters may become involved in an operation. Norway currently contributes troops to two of NATO’s Standing Naval Forces: with the frigate KNM Narvik in Standing Naval Force Atlantic, and the minesweeper KNM Hinnøy in Mine Counter Measures Force North. If NATO decides to deploy these units in an operation, the Norwegian vessels will take part.

The Government will also comply with the request to enhance intelligence sharing, backfill US troops that may be withdrawn from the Balkans, and assist Allies and other states that are subject to increased terrorist threats as a result of their support for the campaign against terrorism.

Norwegian measures to combat the financing of terrorism

Tomorrow the Government will take concrete measures to combat the financing of terrorism. This will be done by exercising the power to issue provisional ordinances when the Storting is not in session, as provided in Article 17 of the Constitution. The purpose is to implement as quickly as possible the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and internationally binding Security Council Resolution 1373, which requires UN member states to implement a number of measures that are specifically designed to combat the financing of terrorism.

The provisional ordinance will encompass both the International Convention and Security Council Resolution 1373 and will provide the Norwegian police and judicial system with new and better tools in their efforts to combat the financing of terrorism. The resolution necessitates statutory amendments because Norwegian legislation does not criminalize the financing of terrorism to a sufficient degree.

A proposition concerning the implementation in law of the provisions of Resolution 1373 and the International Convention will, in keeping with our internal obligations, subsequently be submitted to the 146 ^th> session of the Storting. The provisional ordinance will apply until it is replaced by other statutory provisions or repealed for other reasons. If it is not repealed, it will lapse at the dissolution of the Storting.

Coordination with the EU

Efforts are being made to enable Norway to align itself quickly with relevant EU measures agreed at the extraordinary European Council meeting on 21 September 2001 and the meeting of EU interior and justice ministers. Efforts are also being made to implement measures being considered or implemented in accordance with Europol and Schengen legislation.

Humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was grave even before 11 September, after decades of armed conflict and natural disasters. It has now deteriorated even further because of the fear of war. The UN estimates that more than 5 million people are in need of emergency relief. There are more than 800 000 internally displaced persons and close to 4 million Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries.

The Government has already allocated more than NOK 100 million in emergency relief to Afghanistan, and decided today to allocate an additional NOK 200 million in aid to the country, i.e. approx. 36 mill. USD in total.

The armed forces’ security and contingency measures

The armed forces have stepped up security at military installations. The Minister of Defence has been given powers to call up reserves from the Home Guard for this purpose. The armed forces are also prepared to quickly provide necessary resources for guarding and securing important matters of national priority if it should be necessary. The decision has also been made to heighten the level of alert for fighter aircraft in southern Norway, at Sola and Rygge air stations.

Enhanced preparedness in the health sector

The Government has decided to submit a proposition to the Storting concerning allocations in the order of NOK 65 million in 2001 for preparedness in the health sector in the event of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack. The measures include procurement of equipment and training. This applies among other things to increasing laboratory capacity, protective equipment for health personnel, mobile decontamination units and medicines against chemical or biological agents.

Other contingency measures

The Government continues to review the status of emergency preparedness in a large number of areas. Most of the ministries, specialized institutions and vital public agencies have reviewed their contingency plans, routines and security measures. This also applies to the police.

Security has been stepped up in a number of places. The security measures that have been implemented are largely in accordance with those taken in Denmark and Sweden.

Norway has national contingency plans for both civil and military defence. The Government now wishes to formally implement the civil contingency plans. Some of the civil contingency measures may be implemented by the competent ministers, whereas others require a Royal Decree. In the Council of State on Friday, the Minister of Justice will be given powers to implement measures to enhance public administration preparedness. A number of measures have already been taken. She will also implement measures that correspond with those taken by the Defence Minister to review plans and establish contact between the defence forces and the police with a view to protecting key installations.