Only six convictions for racism since 1977 (Aftenposten)

The Director General of Public Prosecutions, Tor-Aksel Busch says that the burden of proof necessary to convict under the so-called racism paragraph has been set too high. Since 1977 only six people have been convicted of racism under this paragraph. "The Holmlia case is a further good example of how difficult it is to convict someone for racism in Norway," says Superintendent Finn Abrahamsen of the Oslo Police Force.

Iraq’s suffering Saddam Hussein’s responsibility (Aftenposten)

There is no doubt that the Iraqi civilian population is suffering, but Norway’s view is that Saddam Hussein himself must take the blame. Norway does not fully believe many of the reports purporting to show the suffering that UN sanctions are inflicting on the people of Iraq, said State Secretary Raymond Johansen on Tuesday when he reported on Norway’s first month as a member of the UN Security Council. "There is no doubt that the Iraqi civilian population has suffered greatly over the past ten years. But Saddam Hussein blames the world community without doing anything about it himself. A great many more people should be putting pressure on Saddam Hussein to do more for his own people," said Mr Johansen. He underlined that USD 4.8 billion is sitting unused in the United Nations’ money-for-food bank account. The money could be used for the good of the people.

Meningitis alarm in Oslo (Aftenposten)

Epidemiologist Dr Terje Hoel has sounded the alarm after four cases of meningococcal meningitis were recorded in Oslo in under a week. A 19-year-old business studies student has already died of the disease, and Dr Hoel is calling on the public to be extra vigilant if a child or young person develops a high temperature. "Keep an eye out for the symptoms. Usually eight or ten people per year get the disease in Oslo. We have now had four cases in a very short space of time," he says.

Majority of MPs say let wolves live (Aftenposten)

A majority of the Storting has made its message clear. The politicians want to keep a viable wolf population in Norway. At the same time the public’s fear of predators must be taken seriously. With this as a basis, they hope to lessen the conflict surrounding the growing number of wolves in Norway. In the short term Environment Minister Siri Bjerke will be focusing on various preventive measures and a more active management of the wolf population.

Reindeer herders seek injunction to stop aerial bombing (Aftenposten)

Reindeer herders are calling for a complete halt to aerial bombing practice in the Halkavarre firing range. In its petition to the Court of Execution and Enforcement, the industry is also demanding a significant reduction in all kinds of military training at Porsangmoen. The land which the Sami reindeer herders and their attorney are concentrating on has been designated a key military centre by Chief of Defence Staff Lt.Gen. Sigurd Frisvold. The Sami want all aerial bombing banned from 1 March this year, and a halt to military activity on the ground in April, May and June, and in the period 1 August to 15 November. If the petition succeeds it will have major consequences for the Armed Forces. "We use the firing range every day. Without these areas there is not much point in us being here," says Håkon Kvernmo, commanding officer of the Finnmark Regiment.

Reve attacks NRK (Aftenposten)

NRK must get rid of its political legacy and cultural arrogance, says former chairman Torger Reve, who believes the license-funded public service broadcaster has little chance of succeeding in the major change process the organization must carry out. "NRK must shed its monopolistic heritage and start acting like a normal enterprise operating in a competitive environment," says Mr Reve.

Worth Noting

The first sales meeting held in connection with the redevelopment of Pilestredet Park, on the site of the former National Hospital, was not quite what developers OBOS and Selmer had hoped. Of the 100 people who attended the meeting, only seven could afford to buy one of the apartments on offer.

Queen Sonja’s art collection is to go on public display, allowing everyone the chance to see this highly personal collection. In connection with the royal couple’s move from their current residence, Skaugum, to the Royal Palace in Oslo, the Henie-Onstad Centre at Høvikodden will be showing a selection of the Queen’s private art collection. Among the pieces on display will be an Andy Warhol portrait of the Queen painted when she was still Crown Princess Sonja. The exhibition will be open from 30 June to 9 September.

NOREG