Pressemelding

Nr. 154/1999
Dato: 1. november 1999

Fellesuttalelser etter møtet Bondevik-Clinton

Følgende uttalelser er vedtatt i møte mellom statsminister Kjell Magne Bondevik og president Bill Clinton i Osloi dag:

1 Joint US-Norwegian Statement - Trafficking in Women

We share the concerns regarding the growing problem of trafficking in women for the purpose of placing them into slavery-like conditions. This is a problem worldwide, although trafficking in women within the OSCE area has come more into focus recently. The need to address this issue in the Nordic-Baltic region also arose as one of the recommendations of the Reykjavik conference on Women and Democracy. We attach great importance to co-operation between our two countries to focus on the need to combat this problem.

It is important to focus on the economic and social structures that give rise to prostitution and sexual exploitation, and to find methods to empower the women involved.

Norway is proposing to host a conference next spring on trafficking in the OSCE area. The aim would be to (1) develop national and international policies to combat trafficking and (2) to design and put into practice joint action.

The issue should also be addressed at the OSCE Summit in Istanbul. Norway, in its capacity as OSCE Chairmanship, is actively considering the possibility of an event focusing on trafficking on the margins of the Summit.

Oslo, 1 November 1999

2 Joint US-Norwegian Statement - Prosthetics Initiative for Sierra Leone

As a follow up to their October 15, 1999 meeting in Washington, Prime Minister Bondevik and President Clinton today announced a joint United States-Norwegian initiative to provide prosthetic devices and rehabilitation services for mutilateral and disabled victims of the war in Sierra Leone. The United States and Norway will initially contribute up to one million dollars each to support the work of organizations engaged in this effort.

The deliberate amputation of limbs of innocent civilians by rebel militia has impaired thousands of individuals and created hardships for their families. In addition to overcoming physical challenges, victims face serious problems in adapting and integrating into their own communities. The United States and Norway want to work with the people of Sierra Leone to meet this critical humanitarian need. The United States and Norway call on others to join in efforts to support those who have lost limbs from any cause, including intentional mutilation.

This initiative could later also be open to victims in other countries.

Oslo, 1 November 1999