“Norwegian participation in Iraq is based on UN Security Council Resolutions 1483 and 1511 which provide a mandate for the deployment of a multinational force to ensure Iraq’s stability and security, to pave the way for future Iraqi self-determination and to safeguard the UN’s activities in Iraq. Norway has consistently followed the line taken by the UN, and when the UN asks the world community to support the reconstruction and stabilisation of Iraq, we in Norway will wish to respond to that request,” says Defence Minister Kristin Krohn Devold. It is also important to support the UN in its task of establishing an interim Iraqi government by contributing to public security during this phase. The Defence Minister emphasises the importance of there being a clearly established basis in international law for a continued international military presence after 1 July, the date at which the Iraqi interim government is planned to be in place.

The Norwegian Army engineer company will conclude its mission on 30 June as planned and will then return home over the subsequent two weeks. The company has made a significant contribution to the rebuilding of the local infrastructure in Basra and the surrounding area, a contribution that has been highly valued by our collaborative partners.

As well as the engineer company, Norway has had about 10 staff officers serving in the British and Polish sectors since last summer. Most of the European NATO countries have contingents serving in these sectors and NATO has a special responsibility for supporting the polish sector. The Government intends to continue this involvement. The Norwegian staff officers have been engaged in tasks including planning, logistics, CIMIC (Civil-Military Cooperation), intelligence and engineer operations.

UN Security Council Resolution 1511 refers to the significance of establishing effective security forces for the maintenance of law and order in Iraq, and encourages member countries to contribute to the training and equipping of these forces. The Government therefore intends to make available a small number of officers who, together with military personnel from other countries, will contribute to the regeneration of the military forces in Iraq. The cost of these contributions will be covered from within the existing defence budget.