TRUCKERS FRIGHTENED OFF BY POLICE (Aftenposten)

The nationwide blockade of fuel distribution facilities broke down before it got off the ground. Statoil reported the demonstrators, who withdrew before the police arrived. The six-hour blockade did not paralyse Norway. "In France, protesters kept up until the Government yielded. The French would probably consider the Norwegian protesters cowards," says Prof. Frank Aarebrot.

CHEAPER PETROL THROUGH ROAD PRICING (Nationen)

The rural population is paying for urban traffic problems. Fuel taxes are too high in rural areas and too low in the cities, in the view of the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI). Institute director Knut Østmoe suggests that some form of road pricing scheme would be an appropriate way to regulate traffic more effectively and achieve a fair distribution of costs. It would also make petrol cheaper for everyone, he says. But political opposition to measures of this sort is enormous in urban areas.

MUNICIPAL TURNAROUND ON REFUGEES (Dagsavisen)

Many municipalities which have previously refused to accept additional refugees are willing to re-examine their negative stands. The economics of the situation in the municipality of Os, currently under a Progress Party political administration, is what has caused them to reconsider. The accounts of the refugee programme in Os are the first documentation to show the balance of expenses connected with refugees against the associated government funding. "It would be marvellous if these figures were to induce some to change their minds," says Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Sylvia Brustad.

OS PREPARED TO TAKE MORE (Dagsavisen)

Immigration has been good business for Os, a Progress Party municipality. Os showed a NOK 2.4 million surplus on refugee integration funding between 1994 and 1999. Os mayor and local deputy Progress Party chairman Terje Søviknes says they want more integration funding, but at the national level, Progress calls for substantial cutbacks in this funding component. "Talk of an immigration account was a deliberate attempt to portray immigration in a negative light," says economist and Red Electoral Alliance politician Torstein Dahle.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THEMSELVES (Aftenposten)

Government ministries spend more time governing themselves than they do advising the political leadership and administering the agencies under their charge. The bureaucrats devote approximately 30 per cent of their resources administrating their own activities. The Directorate for Public Management considers the public administration poorly organized and that feels substantial changes are necessary to enable the ministries to meet the political challenges of the future. Administrative tasks and individual issues must be handled elsewhere. ‘The ministries must focus on preparing and implementing political policy for the ministers.

TIME FOR ANOTHER INTEREST RATE HIKE (Dagbladet)

Interest rates have not yet peaked — the only uncertainty is whether the central bank will raise key rates tomorrow or wait until the beginning of November. Inflation and total credit growth are both higher than anticipated, and because of the current high oil prices, there is an abundance of money. Under the prevailing circumstances, it will be difficult for the Government to offer a tight budget.

RØKKE: SAY NO TO KVÆRNER (Dagens Næringsliv)

Aker Maritime board chairman Kjell Inge Røkke and the rest of the board do not hesitate to recommend that Aker Maritime’s shareholders turn down Kværner’s offer. Yesterday’s recommendation was forthcoming after a board meeting which ran three hours longer than planned. "I cannot say I am surprised at this reply, but still I am disappointed," says Kværner board chairman Christian Bjelland.

WORTH NOTING

• Trucker protest leader Knut Enger regretted bitterly last night that he called off the fuel blockade after Statoil officials called in the police. (Verdens Gang)
• All the political youth organizations scorn the widespread discontent with petrol prices. They take the view that polluters should pay, and they caution their parent parties against capitulating to the Progress Party. (Dagsavisen)
• Kjell Magne Bondevik (Chr.Dem.) is flirting with the Progress Party over a reduction in petrol taxes similar to one which was rejected by all three centrist parties just a few months ago. In return for this turnaround, the Progress Party will consider supporting a reduction in value-added taxes on food. (Dagens Næringsliv)
• In a poll taken by Opinion AS, seven out of eight respondents expressed the view that Norway should spend more of its oil wealth solving a number of the problems facing the country. This unambiguous majority was reflected across lines of age, gender, region and party membership, though people who voted Progress tended to be most expansive. (Aftenposten)
• Financier Christen Sveaas feels Orkla is too big and that some divisions could be sold off. This is the impression left on employee representatives after yesterday’s meeting. (Aftenposten)
• One bit of good news has finally emerged from the Norwegian health care system: the National Hospital is recognized as the best in the world in a specific type of advanced surgery. Specialists at the hospital have developed new methods of performing keyhole surgery on the kidneys, prostate, heart, pancreas and liver. These new methods have attracted the attention of foreign medical specialists. (Verdens Gang)

TODAY’S COMMENT from Vårt Land

The desire for real self-rule in the Church of Norway is growing apace. The resolution adopted by the National Council of the Church of Norway to the effect that the appointment of bishops and deans should be a matter for the Church’s own leaders is another sign that they no longer accept [secular] political supervision. If the Government loses its authority to appoint church leaders, the Storting will have to face the fundamental issue of whether the country is interested in supporting a church over which it has no political control. The answer to this question cannot be taken for granted. Many people will insist that a Lutheran church with a broad popular base is good for the country and deserves public funding. Others will take the view that the Church of Norway should receive the same treatment and funding accorded other religious denominations. The course now being mapped out by the leaders of the Church of Norway entails a considerable risk that the Church could lose many of its privileges. But this is a healthy process which will make the main purposes of the Church stand out in even greater relief. This challenge to politicians who have the power to cut funding reflects a willingness to take risks, which is an essential aspect of faith. And an impoverished church is better than a church under political control.

N O R E G