Bondevik statement has top brass scrambling (Aftenposten)

Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik’s statement that Norway is willing to lead a peace force in Afghanistan sparked a flurry of hectic activity in the Ministry of Defence and at Headquarters Command Norway yesterday. "This is a matter for our political leaders", was all Commander Per Høiby, spokesman for the Chief of Defence Staff, was willing to say. Norwegian General Torstein Skiaker commanded the international military operation in Kosovo a few months ago, and there are indications that he may be a likely candidate for a similar operation in Afghanistan.

Popular support for Norwegian involvement in Afghanistan (Nationen)

Two opinion polls show that there is popular support in Norway for taking part in a force in Afghanistan led by NATO. Six out of ten respondents supported the idea in September and October. "We have communicated to the people the importance of supporting the struggle against the Taliban and bin Laden," says Finn Martin Vallersnes, Conservative member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Nonetheless, Mr. Vallersnes does not believe the job of describing the importance of Norwegian support is over by any means.

Jagland suggests loosening ties to LO (Dagsavisen)

In a historic statement, Labour Party leader Thorbjørn Jagland has expressed his view that the working relationship between Labour and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) is too close to permit Labour to form a government coalition with other parties. If this is the case, then the weekly meetings between Labour and LO leaders may have to stop. "We are prepared to work with other parties to form a coalition government. If we act on this, we will not be able to continue to discuss current government business with the LO," says Mr. Jagland.

Cities to receive more government funds (Aftenposten)

The cities will be given higher priority. New funding criteria will give weight to population growth, substance abuse and social problems. "We have not had a defined urban policy in Norway. The importance of the cities within the framework of overall national development has been underrated. Towns in southern Norway lag behind the towns of northern Norway as well as the rural municipalities in southern Norway in their level of services," says Minister of Local Government Erna Solberg (Cons.).

Norwegians not so bright after all (Dagbladet)

It has now been established beyond a doubt that mediocrity is a common Norwegian trait. This is the depressing conclusion regarding the performance of 4000 Norwegian 15-year-olds in a major international study of proficiency in reading and comprehension, math and science. "This is a disappointment – almost like a Winter Olympics without a single Norwegian medal winner," said Minister of Education Kristin Clemet yesterday after the study was made public.

Fresh capital about to roll in (NTB)

While Kjell Inge Røkke was making his triumphant entry at the Kværner shipyard in Rogaland, investors were queuing up for a piece of the action in this beleaguered company. Kværner reported in a statement to the Oslo Stock Exchange yesterday that a syndicate of investors has pledged to underwrite a NOK 1.5 billion rights issue. This is in addition to syndicate which has already been formed for a NOK 2 billion directed issue.

I looked into my paper cup – everything was looking up (Dagbladet)

The year 2002 looks set to be a very good year, if we are to believe the economic pundits. At least the forecasters at the Norwegian Financial Services Association (FNH) have no doubts that 2002 will be a good year for most of us. "Cautious, financially sound households will see a substantial increase in spending power next year," is their conclusion.

Worth noting

• Norwegian Middle East experts believe the alternative to Yasser Arafat is total chaos. As the Israeli intelligence community puts it, with Arafat you can expect a car bomb every week – without him you can expect one every day." (Aftenposten)
• The grant percentage in Norwegian student funding will go up from 30 to 40 per cent in November 2002, but the opposition does not agree with the government coalition on how much it will cost. (Aftenposten)
• No to the EU is advocating an Icelander to serve as the next ESA director, and sees no reason why Foreign Minister Jan Petersen should fight to have this post filled by a Norwegian. Norway’s official candidate is Einar Bull, who will soon be leaving his post as ambassador to the EU. (Nationen)
• Kjell Inge Røkke owns more of Norway’s shipbuilding and related industry than any other Norwegian industrialist before him. Of 90,000 people employed in this industrial sector, 10,000 are on the payrolls of companies he controls. (Dagens Næringsliv)
• Statoil group CEO Olav Fjell feels running a listed company keeps him on his toes. The value of Statoil shares has dropped nearly 20 per cent in the past six months. (Dagens Næringsliv)

TODAY'S COMMENT from Dagens Næringsliv

The Government wishes to re-order the priorities of the State Housing Bank. Funding is to be targeted in a new way to provide subsidized mortgages to those who need them most. Representatives of the cooperative housing associations are protesting, and no wonder. As a major recipient group for government mortgages, they are not looking forward to losing subsidies they have long enjoyed. A detailed analysis of the impact of the proposed changes has yet to be completed, but one thing is certain: when a large portion of the wage-earning population qualifies for a government support scheme, its administration usually becomes cumbersome and ineffective. Despite annual transfers in the billions of kroner, today’s system has proved its inability to provide housing to people with an acute need. In contrast, a million Norwegians with the financial resources to buy their own homes are receiving small subsidies, so the Government’s proposal seems to make sense.