The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Oslo Press Division

Norway Daily No. 53/00

Date: 15 March 2000

BOTH FIGHT TO PLACE THE BLAME (Dagsavisen)

The toppling of the Bondevik Government has sparked a round of mutual recrimination as the centrist coalition and the Conservatives both seek to win the favour of the voters. Each side claims the other misplayed its cards, and relations between the Conservatives and the political centre have never been worse. The Conservatives had no reason to prefer a Labour Government over a centrist Government, says Mr. Bondevik.

PETERSEN COURTS COALITION, BUT WITH RESERVATIONS (NTB)

Conservative Party chairman Jan Petersen would like nothing better than to dispel the bad feelings between the Conservatives and the centrist coalition. He would like to sit down with the three coalition parties to discuss a basis for parliamentary collaboration, but he is not interested in letting the coalition simply exploit the Conservatives in a ploy to gather votes. I agree with Kjell Magne Bondevik that relations should not be allowed to get any worse. Anger has flared up on both sides, but we must now put hard words behind us, says Mr. Petersen.

TOUGH MUNICIPAL CHALLENGE FOR STOLTENBERG (Dagens Næringsliv)

Last year’s NOK 12 billion deficit in the county and municipal sector will be a tough challenge for Prime Minister-designate Jens Stoltenberg and his new Labour Government. Departing Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Odd Roger Enoksen (Centre) characterizes these figures as dramatic. I have been saying for a long time that 1999 and 2000 will be unusually tough years for the municipal sector, but I must admit I was not expecting it to be this bad, says Mr. Enoksen.

HIGH PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN EXPECTED IN STOLTENBERG’S GOVERNMENT (Dagsavisen)

The Labour Party’s Women’s Section is hoping that over half the ministers in Jens Stoltenberg’s Government will be women. If Mr. Stoltenberg takes up the challenge, his Government will be the first in Norway in which women are in the majority. The percentage among state secretaries and political advisers will also be an important factor, says Women’s Section chairman Karita Bekkemellem Orheim.

JUMP-STARTED PREPARATIONS FOR NEW GOVERNMENT (Verdens Gang)

Jens Stoltenberg steadfastly denies that he was ever out to topple the Bondevik Government. However, one of his closest co-workers had requested a complete list of former Labour members of the Government system, sending his request to Office of the Prime Minister, no less. It is obvious that Mr. Stoltenberg was well-prepared for the events of last Thursday, says Centre Party chairman and departing Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Odd Roger Enoksen.

RUNWAY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM UNUSED (Aftenposten)

A runway surveillance system has been installed at Gardermoen but it has not been put into service. The airport administration declines to make any statement as to whether this system could have averted a close call in which 278 people were endangered last Wednesday. A plane taking off for Bergen passed clear of another plane taxiing to its place by only 50 metres. Finn Heimdal, chairman of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board, believes this is the worst near-accident ever to take place at Gardermoen.

WORTH NOTING

• Jens Stoltenberg can do something about Labour’s distinct Oslo image by putting together a Government consisting only of people from outside the Oslo region. He’s got plenty to choose from. (Nationen)
• Researchers believe at least 20,000 Norwegians are addicted to the Internet in the same way that alcoholics depend on alcohol. Norwegian psychiatrists are now sounding the alarm. (Dagsavisen)
• Abuse, bullying, harassment—the postwar experiences of children of Norwegian Nazis closely parallel those of children fathered by German soldiers, but there has been comparatively little focus on their plight. Baard H. Borge of Harstad College is now endeavouring to get in touch with the approximately 100,000 children of Norwegian Nazis born between 1930 and 1960. (Dagsavisen)
• Many patients fear negative reactions from their doctors if they file complaints about their medical treatment. A number of patient ombudsmen report this concern by patients, many of whom drop their complaints or choose to wait until their medical treatment is completed. (Aftenposten)
• A majority of Storting MPs are probably against the sale of Hydro Seafood to a foreign corporation. The Centre and Socialist Left parties echo the views of Kjell Opseth (Labour). The problem is finding ways open to them for blocking the sale. (Dagens Næringsliv)
• Commercial and environmental groups disagree as to whether the rest of Norway will be negatively affected by the construction of gas-fired power plants with high CO ₂ emissions. (Aftenposten)
• Norway’s largest power companies made record profits in 1999, yet they still complain of high power taxes and low prices. They have also induced the Storting to re-examine the framework conditions for power plant operations. (Nationen)
• Teachers were among those who protested the loudest against the framework of last year’s wage settlement. Unlike everyone else, though, they stayed within bounds. Their wage growth was precisely 4.5 per cent—the goal set jointly by the unions and employer organizations prior to the negotiations. Most other groups congratulated themselves with settlements far above this figure. (Aftenposten)
• We must accept greater wage disparity among teachers. Teachers who give something extra should be rewarded, says Anders Folkestad, head of the Norwegian Teachers' Union. (Dagens Næringsliv)

TODAY’S COMMENT from Aftenposten

The Bondevik Government will go to the Palace on Friday to deliver its resignation, but the minicoalition has earned its place in Norwegian history. Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik made a good point yesterday when he summed up his Government’s history in a quote from Swedish poet Sten Selander: Castles in the air are the only castles that last. Despite the cold climate prevailing between the coalition parties and the Conservatives, no Government has ever stepped down with better grace than the Bondevik Government. But what else could one expect? Contrary to every expectation, the castle in the air erected on a foundation that was a free gift from former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland stood for two-and-a-half years. And when it was time to go, Mr. Bondevik’s Government even had an advantageous issue to demand a vote of confidence and resign on.