The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Oslo Press Division

Norway Daily No. 36/00

Date: 21 February 2000

LABOUR FALLING OUT WITH POLITICAL CENTRE(Aftenposten)

If Labour uses the gas-power issue to fight its way back into Government, it will forfeit any chance it may have for collaborating with the political centre. Christian Democratic party chairman Valgerd Svarstad Haugland makes it quite clear that Labour cannot count on any parliamentary collaboration. "That will be Labour’s problem. There is no point in looking to us for anything. They can forget any cooperation from us," she stated.

BONDEVIK DECLARES ENVIRONMENTAL WAR(Dagbladet-Sunday)

Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik has mounted a full-scale attack on Jens Stoltenberg and the Labour Party on environmental issues. Wielding a number of new environmental bills, he aims to save his Government, promote clean gas power and effectively block the construction of controversial power plants. "Now we will see whether Labour is interested in sound environmental policies or whether their motives run in an entirely different direction," says Mr. Bondevik.

NO POINT IN STEPPING DOWN NOW(Verdens Gang-Saturday)

Those who are closest to the Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik argue forcefully against stepping down over the gas power issue. Their argument is that no gas-fired power plants are likely to be built between now and the 2001 general election anyhow. Centre parliamentary leader Johan J. Jakobsen confirms this much, though he adds that he will not advise the PM either for or against putting his Government on the line over the issue.

GAS POWER COULD BECOME LABOUR’S NEW BANNER ISSUE(Aftenposten)

"The gas power issue could replace the cash benefits scheme as the chief focus of Labour’s opposition policy and stand in the way of all sensible cooperation between Labour, the political centre and the Socialist Left," says Socialist Left party chairman Kristin Halvorsen. For two years, Labour’s obstinate stand against the cash benefits scheme precluded any cooperation with the centrist coalition. Ms. Halvorsen now cautions Labour against letting their enthusiasm for gas-fired power plants prevent cooperation.

LABOUR WOMEN RENEW FIGHT AGAINST CASH BENEFITS(Vårt Land)

The Labour Party Women’s Section has a new proposal to enlist support in their opposition to the cash benefits scheme. Chairman Karita Bekkemellem Orheim proposes an extra six months of maternity leave which may be taken any time within 10 years after birth. It may be taken in the form of additional holidays, shorter working days or extra days off when the child is placed in a day care centre or starts school. Ms. Orheim hopes the other parties will consider this proposal when the cash benefits scheme comes up for evaluation.

PROGRESS SETS SIGHTS ON GOVERNMENT(Nationen)

The Progress Party’s national committee moved yesterday to work towards inclusion in a coalition government after the 2001 general election. "I would like to be Prime Minister in a majority Government with policies heavily influenced by the Progress Party. Such a Government could offer better solutions to a wide range of problems and make Norway a better country in which to live. We would like to be involved in the responsibility of governing the country," said party chairman Carl I. Hagen yesterday.

NATO INVOLVEMENT IN NORWAY DECLINING(Aftenposten)

Since the 1950's, NATO has maintained a programme of investment in which Norway was given high priority. Several tens of billions of kroner have been invested in radar systems, airports and harbours, and rural areas in particular have benefited from these efforts. But NATO transfers to Norway have dropped by one billion kroner since the fall of the Berlin wall in 1991, and were down to around NOK 400 million in 1999.

WORTH NOTING

1. Labour opponents to Norwegian EU membership baulk at the idea of a new round of internal discord, so they choose to keep out of the EU debate which is soon likely to dominate the party. (Dagsavisen-Saturday)
2. The Labour Party’s women’s policy committee recommends that the party support a new referendum on EU membership to be held sometime in the next electoral term. This makes it the first body within the Labour Party to recommend a new referendum before the 2005 general election. (Aftenposten-Saturday)
3. Labour Party chairman Thorbjørn Jagland suffered a resounding defeat over the issue of EU membership at the annual meeting of the Tromsø Labour Party this weekend. The general view in Tromsø Labour is that there is no reason to try today, tomorrow or any time within the next five years. (Dagsavisen)
4. Over half the population holds the opinion that Thorbjørn Jagland should continue as Labour Party chairman. As many as two out of three Labour voters feel he should continue, according to a recent MMI survey. (Dagbladet-Saturday)
5. The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) is likely to win out in its demand for a fifth week of holiday in this year’s negotiations which commence in two weeks. Employers, represented by the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry (NHO) anticipate difficulties in opposing this LO demand. (Aftenposten)
6. Anne Enger Lahnstein believes the Government will survive the gas-power debate and remain sitting until the 2001 general election. She will not run for re-election to the Storting, but will retire from politics next year. (Aftenposten-Saturday)
7. The National Council of the Church of Norway does not want the Gender Equality Act to apply to the Church of Norway. Consideration for those who are against women clergy is one of the arguments behind their decision. (Dagsavisen-Saturday)

TODAY’S COMMENT from Dagbladet

The National Council of the Church of Norway came to the conclusion on Friday that the Gender Equality Act ought not to apply to the Church of Norway. According to Bishop Primas Odd Bondevik, the Council reasons that the Church of Norway should be accorded the same treatment as other religious denominations whose convictions collide with the idea of gender equality. Bishop of Oslo Gunnar Stålsett reacts negatively to the Council’s decision, viewing it as a last stand by opponents of female clergy. Among the leaders of the Church of Norway, the overwhelming majority has always held to the most conservative views regarding gender equality within the Church. It is only with great reluctance that the Church makes room for views on humanity which have long since received acceptance by the rest of society. The Church’s highest authority now states that gender equality in the Church is an important principle and that the Gender Equality Act is consistent with Christian ethics. It makes no sense, therefore, that the same Church does not accept the constraints of a law which would guarantee everyone seeking ecclesiastical office equal treatment.