Norway is calling back troops from Iraq

[mogster]

This is not translated and published in English yet, but here you go.

(We had national elections this week, and the social democrat coalition won. Thus, the Christian/Conservative govt. was ousted from positions they've had since 1997.)

Norwegian officers out of Iraq


The happy election winners - from the left: Kristin Halvorsen of the Socialist Left, Jens Stoltenberg from the Labour party and Aaslaug Haga from the Center party.

Jens Stoltenberg (the new PM) said yesterday to George W. Bush that the new government would pull back the 10 (!) Norwegian officers still in Iraq.

In the middle of his worst crisis on the home ground, the American president took some time to call to congratulate Jens Stoltenberg with the election result. It is considered as remarkable by sources in foreign relations. Bush is fighting desperately to regain confidence in the American people, and apart from his UN speech, he's re-scheduled his program to use all his time on the Katrina aftermath.

Yesterday, Bush was in New Orleans.

- Bush called today to congratulate us with the victory and to send good wishes, Stoltenberg told Dagbladet. - Afterwards, we had a conversation about the relationship between Norway and the US. I told him that the three parties negotiating for governmental positions are determined to continue Norway's current foreign policy, and that we want to continue help with the fight against terrorism. But I also told him that we don't think the Norwegian officers should be in Iraq.

- What was Bush' comments to this?

- It would be wrong to bring the contents of a private conversation into the public area. Surely, we will have the opportunity to discuss this on a later occation.

- Why do you think Bush took his time to call you, in little Norway, in the middle of his worst political crisis ever?

- It's because Norway and the US has close ties, and because we're worked closely together through NATO since the WWI. And even though we differ on some views, we're still close allies.

- It was a short, but nice conversation. And we have a common wish to meet as soon as possible, says Stoltenberg. George W. Bush also called departing PM Kjell Magne Bondevik yesterday.

(Norwegian):
http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2005/09/16/443544.html

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Very diplomatic answers, but with the important point in place; the pullout of Norwegian officers. They don't do anything anyway, but just functions as an alibi for Bush to add another country to his coalition.

[Wizard777]

1. Congratulations to the winners and good for them!

Btw, that cake looks really really really good.

[ladylibertee]

2. NORWAY?????? NOR WAAAAYYYY

[kevinmc]

3. That's who eats those Fruit Cakes..........

Just kidding, nice post and Congratulations.

[unhappycamper]

4. Congratulations on your victory. n/t