Regarding the commentary about a dialect debate in Norway:

I myself have been through a bit of the same mess as Tatjana from your article. I learned Norwegian in Oslo and have inlaws both in Trondheim and in Ålesund. I now live in Montréal.

I completely agree that dialects make things more complicated, although if you only need to learn a couple, it's not too bad with practice. Problems arise, of course, when you come in contact with many different people all speaking their own brand of Norwegian...

Norwegians seem to see only the positive side of the dialects (preserving the heritage and identity and so forth) so it's good to remind them that all that "biodiversity" creates a very confusing environment for newcomers. As long as they are aware of it. I'm not asking them to ditch the dialects, just to be aware of the complications they create. The fact that they're not as documented doesn't help either (you can't buy an Assimil method for "learning Trøndersk in 20 easy lessons").

Daniel Albert
Montreal, Canada
*****

I have lived in Norway for three years now, and am currently working and studying at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Ås.

I am also engaged to a young woman from Fresvik in Sogn, which is where we both plan on moving when we are finished with our studies. At her home, there are four dialects; Vågå, Sogn, Bokmål, and Østfold (rømskog). I admit that it has often been difficult to learn three different words for "head," but also stimulating.

Before moving here to Norway I lived in Germany, first in the South (black forest) and then in the Northwest (NRW) which also had different dialects.

For someone who comes from Canada, I give a lot of respect to these European countries who despite globalisation and integration have a firm grasp on their roots and traditions. It is our choice and responsibility to deal with these problems, as guests, visitors and newcomers.

G Gilpin
Ås, Norway
*****

I just read your very interesting article about foreigners trying to learn Norwegian and on top of that the problem with all the various dialects and nynorsk.

I was born in Bergen and went through gymnasium in Oslo in the late 1950s. I have been visiting Norway many times since I moved to California and I cannot tell you how many times I have not been able to understand what people have been saying to me and I have switched to English in order to understand people. Most people speak English and it is easier to understand their English than it is to understand anything but bokmaal language. I even came across one salesperson who told me she herself had a hard time understanding her husband because he spoke some dialect.

I was very discouraged that I could not understand some of the sales people in the stores and servers in the restaurants, but I was told by friends that because they speak so many different dialects, I should not take it personally. Everyone understood my spoken Norwegian but nine times out of 10 I switched to English in order not to embarrass them by constantly asking what they were saying - they might as well have spoken "Greek" because at times I just didn't understand a single word.

Pity the poor person who is trying to learn Norwegian from scratch. I at least had 20+ years of education in Norway and speak the language fluently.

Else Schlueter
California, USA
*****

No country should alter its language to accommodate immigrants. It is asinine for an immigrant to ask why Norwegians don't all speak the same way in order to accommodate foreigners learning the language. That's real nerve and shows cultural disrespect for the country they've chosen to move to.

Michael Skretteberg
Claremont, Ontario, Canada
*****

I would like to rebut Michael Skretteberg's comment on this issue.

I wonder if Michael has any direct experience acclimating to the language culture here. The name could be Scandinavian so maybe he speaks a scandic language, but I doubt has learned one as an adult. While his point has some validity, I find it completely naive and choose instead to applaud Aftenposten's honesty in covering this debate.

I am also an American living in Norway and this is a most incredible challenge. I had no idea of the size of this challenge until I moved here and later encountered colleagues from the North.

No one is asking Norwegians to give up their dialects or "alter" their language. It's a question of making immigrants feel wanted and facilitating their education (especially when speaking directly to them). I find that most people will try to accommodate me when I speak Norwegian by neutralizing their dialect and slowing down their speech. This is common courtesy, not a cultural sacrifice. And it's a courtesy I use with my international colleagues (including Norwegians) when I speak English. This is an etiquette they also use when conversing with Swedes, Danes or other Norwegians from other parts of the country!

Then there is the odd person who seems to crawl as deep as possible into their dialect and even speed up their speech when I am in the room. And I suspect there is a hint of ethnocentric reflection in many of the these people. It's often the same people who complain that we should "learn the language" who don't want to help out in this regard.

Norwegians should be accommodating to those of us who try to master their language as an alternative to using English (which is actually much easier). I have even heard Norwegians switch to English in order to understand each other!

Robert Rasmussen
Grimstad Norway
*****

(Editor's note: We've had a lot of mail on Aftenposten's story about a Norwegian professor who ranked George W Bush as the worst US president ever. Here's a sample of the reaction:)

It is a pity that Norway considers this professor to be its 'expert' on American presidents. To quote an eminent cosmologist's remark after hearing a new theory on the origin of the universe: He isn't even wrong.

His hindsight prism on slavery coloring his view of Andrew Johnson and his current misunderstanding of both the war on terror and the actual role of an American president make his list risible.

Michael Jones
Chicago
*****

I herewith nominate professor Ole Moen as the stupidest professor in Norway. His knee-jerk naive comments about Bush speak volumes of his real ignorance of USA politics and society.

James W.Berhow
Farmington, Minnesota, USA
*****

It is apparent that Ole O Moen's opinions on US presidents, the best and the worst, do not amount to much. How else could he have missed the most ineffectual of them all, Jimmy Carter, Nobel recipient, who was beaten badly when trying for a second term and who now spends his days as an angry old man disparaging the current president?

Meanwhile, Moen doesn't have Harry Truman in the top 5. How could he be missed?

If Moen notices approval ratings, he must be aware that the US Congress enjoys lesser ratings than the president, so I suppose we have a kind of team effort, the two branches of government stinking in concert.

Travis Cleveland
Dorchester, Iowa, USA
*****

Greetings from an American who reads the English edition of Aftenposten. Your scholar's assessment of the quality of US presidents is right on the mark. I'm a Republican who has been so ashamed these last eight years. Hopefully, it appears the party will nominate an honorable, qualified candidate. Perhaps the US may be able to regain a position of honor and credibility among nations.

John Plunkett
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
*****

I read with humor the article noting that professor Ole O Moen says that President George W Bush is the worst president in US history. As a former instructor of US History in secondary education(high school), I find it appalling that a so-called learned person can make such a statement. I was always taught and then taught my students that it takes at least one generation to fully assess the success or failure of any president. My personal take is that Bill Clinton will go down in history as a loser. There are no redeeming qualities to his presidency but, then again, it is too soon to make this prediction as fact.

As for George Bush, I suggest that his rating will rise as the years go by. Professor Ole O Moen needs to go back and take a basic course in good judgment.

Michael Loehrer
Westerville, Ohio, USA
*****

I don't even know where to start in rebutting Professor Moen's ranking of George Bush as the worst US President. Let's go to each of his points:

1) Professor Moen states that President Bush displays "arrogance and ignorance" and lacked an ability to listen to and cooperate with other heads of state, and with the US Congress. Why is it always President Bush (and America in general) that is supposed to listen to everything that Norway or Europe or "international opinion’"says? Aren't they sometimes wrong also? There is this mindset that because President Bush doesn't say okay to everything that Europe or other countries demand, that he is wrong. This is just plain silly.

2) All the intelligence on Iraq prior to the U.S. invasion stated that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and was developing more weapons. Even the UN believed this, and the Security Council voted for Saddam Hussein to come clean on this. When he refused, President Bush did the right thing and forcefully disarmed him. If the world believed that Saddam Hussein had these weapons, it seems as if the right choice was made by Presid ent Bush to disarm him. As far as "chaos in Iraq," well, it has been a few tough years I’m sure the Iraqis will tell you, but the recent surge of troops and General Petraeus' fine leadership have started to turn things around in Iraq. Much of the country is doing much better than even just a few months ago, and Iraqis are now more hopeful about their future. Insurgencies take time to wear down, and no one should have been surprised that it would take this long.

3) President Bush has refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol, and rightly so. President Clinton (whom Norway fawns all over) refused to sign it as well. Why? Because it would destroy the U.S. economy. And it's very hypocritical of European countries that signed the treaty but can't reach its targets. It seems that Europe has fumbled the ball on this, and now realizes that the Kyoto Protocol is unrealistic and will actually harm economies.

4) It's not just President Bush who doesn't want US citizens hauled before the International Court. The International Court made a mockery of the trial of Slobodan Milosevic, taking years to prosecute a case that should have taken a few months at most. Why in the world should my country let its citizens and US military personnel be subjected to a bunch of anti-war and anti-American judges in The Hague?

5) President Bush has cut taxes for the middle class, and I have first-hand knowledge of this as I am part of our middle class here in the U.S. I have more money in my pocket; the economy has grown over the past seven years. Raising taxes will hurt the middle class. The rich will always be rich (no matter where they live), but the middle class can't afford higher taxes in this country.

6) President Bush doesn't care about his legacy? I doubt that, but he is a man of a humble character. I do think he makes decisions not based on his own gain, but what he feels is best for his country. In contrast, President Clinton only made decisions that would help his popularity and his own selfish gain. And for eight years President Clinton neglected to respond to terrorist attacks against American and Western interests including the bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993, the attacks on the US embassies in Africa, the bombing of the USS Cole, etc. He neglected his first duty of office which is to protect America. Due to Clinton's neglect, al-Qaeda believed the US was weak and therefore planned and executed the September 11, 2001 attacks.

I think that Professor Moen is displaying a lot of ignorance regarding President Bush. How sad.

Thank you to Aftenposten for the forum.

Erik Moy
Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA
*****

At the end of the article on Oslo's looming transit strike, it was asked: "If Fagforbundet should get more money, who should get less?"

Maybe our politicians should use less money to save the rain forest and consider using NOK 3 billion to help the neighborhoods in Oslo and the rest of Norway!

If they have NOK 3 billion to save the rain forest, then certainly they can have enough to lower our taxes! I am appalled at the extravagant misuse of our (high) taxes by Norway's top politicians!

Mark Tantillo
Nes Kommune
*****

Tell the poor fools (caught up in the townships' investment scandal) who thought they were "investing" that their action was mere speculation, as is any thought of acquiring a "paper" product.

They will be much better served in the future to acquire gold as the only true "investment" in this time of a paper flood, not the least of which comes from all of the international currencies.

Charles Nicolette
Odessa, Texas, USA
*****

Regarding the story about Norway and Sweden poised to defend each other, for the duration of World War II, while Sweden remained "neutral," it let other countries fight the Germans to free the world from Nazi domination.

So while Norway was under German invasion and occupation, Sweden engaged in "tourism;" that is, the Gestapo and Germans could take a holiday from the war by coming to Sweden for "rest and relaxation..."

Dear Norway, don't enter into any military protection agreements with those cowards in Sweden; they failed Norway and the world once before, and cannot be trusted.

Kenneth Hermanrud Poulsen
Cowley, Alberta, Canada
*****

Regarding the story about Al Gore opting for a train over a limo,

(It) was very nice to see they took the train into Oslo from the airport. I guess the luggage came by limo.

S Nilsen
Oslo
*****

I have just read your article entitled If Not Santa, then Snowmen. The renaming of Bardufoss Airport to Snowmen International Airport must be a joke. This is amazing. It would be funny if it were not true.

Why are they comparing Norway to Finland? Can't they dig into the Norwegian Ethos and come up with something more sensible, original and home-grown ??

Seems like they are feeling insecure. Feels like they think there is a competition between Norway and Finland.

Snowmen International Airport sounds silly, besides annoying all those politically correct feminist types out there.

At the end of the day, everyone knows Santa comes from Norway...

Ade Erik Rødt Larsen
Tønsberg
*****

Regarding the story about Mullah Krekar's continued presence in Oslo despite a deportation order:

One thing is sure; Krekar has enough knowledge about Norway ... geographic, politically, etc ... that he will be a fantastic source of information to terrorists.

Michael Skretteberg
Claremont, Ontario, Canada
*****

I was very shocked to read in your photo-report on "Norway’s Wealthiest Individuals" that three of these men have made colossal fortunes (a combined 53.4 billion kroner) from the grocery/food business.

A little research has also shown that, between them, Stein Erik Hagen, Johan Johansson and Odd Reitan control just about every food-store chain in the country. And yet, as you pointed out in the article, Norwegians pay – on average – 3 times the price for everyday items than their counterparts in other countries. Unfortunately, very few of them earn 3 times the salary of fellow western Europeans.

By contrast, in Holland, the last country I lived in before moving to Norway, the owner of the biggest retail grocery chain in the country – Albert Heijn – has a reported personal fortune of "only" NOK 3.5 billion. And this is from 700 supermarkets in a country with a population of 16 million.

Admittedly the Norwegian fortunes pale into insignificance when compared with the estimated personal fortune of Walmart's former CEO Sam Walton (at least NOK 320 billion) but one should bear in mind that Walmart has about 4,000 stores in the US alone and many other business interests in America and abroad.

I would very much hope that these individuals are not profiteering from artificially inflated prices or discriminatory stocking policies. However, I have to say that during a recent trip to France I was amazed at the consistently low prices of basic foodstuffs. And my local store here in Oslo still stocks only one brand of butter!

Although Norwegians have constantly resisted attempts to drag them into the European Union, I can only think that they would benefit enormously from the lower food prices that would result from this.

Regarding the latest story about Russian bomber flights off Norway:

I find it reprehensible that Russia is so clearly and obviously provoking the West -- and particularly Norway -- with its reconnaissance flights off the coast of Norway. Putin's actions are increasingly bellicose, threatening sovereign states from Norway to the Ukraine and across much of Europe.

While America's involvement in Iraq has unfortunately weakened the NATO alliance, Mr.Putin is reminding us all once again why it is so vital to the security of the West. We must remain united in our resolve as free nations to support each other and resist efforts by totalitarian nations to impose their will on Norway or any other free and sovereign nation.

Don Barton
Oakdale, California, USA
*****

Regarding the story about dealing with children's sexuality in kindergartens,

I am a Norwegian by birth, who went to the kindergartens in Norway from the age of one to seven, when my family emigrated to Canada. I cannot believe what I just read about the need for sexual games in kindergarten to allow children to express their natural sexuality! What hogwash! What are parents for?!!!!

Do we now relegate everything to the "state?" What about a child's innate selfishness, and desire to hurt those who don't acquiesce to their needs and wants? Do we set up "murder" games so children can vent their natural violent tendencies in a nurturing environment?

It's time for the average Norwegian to speak up and put these fomenters in mental institutions where they can play their own sex games til they expire.

Wencke Anne-Brit Lie (Turner)
Canada
*****

Now I have heard it all! Is this what the people of Norway spend their tax-dollars on? I cannot fathom such a proposal coming from a "well respected" teacher, nor any government official for that matter. You can be rest assured, proposals such as these will not be tolerated in the US.

Perhaps I will come across as the closed-minded American most Europeans tend to bash. In a world that is filled with enough ills to last a lifetime, why would anyone expose young children to such things?

Norway needs to focus on your escalating crime and race relations. Perhaps, the same psychologists can examine the heads of the "citizen apologists" who blame the US.for all of the terrorism in the world instead of looking at the root cause.

Charles Croke
Watertown, Connecticut, USA
*****

We've had quite a bit of response on the recent Nobel Peace Prize decision and offer just a sample here:

Why not some balance in your reporting about Gore's Nobel Peace Prize? What a sham. Surely you must have read of the controversy surrounding his global warming position. First Arafat, then Carter and now Gore. The Nobel Peace Prize Committee has outdone itself in irrelevance. Makes me embarrassed to be a Norwegian-American.

Nicholas Hagen
Mesa, Arizona
*****

For those who praise Al Gore's environmentalism and scorn George Bush's:

Thank You.

Joe Wall
Chamberlain, South Dakota, USA
*****

Regarding the story Police display weapons haul

Evidently Norway's strict anti-gun laws are not working.

Dick Larsen
San Diego, California, USA
*****

Regarding the story Critics blast Norwegian aid to 'Koran schools' in Pakistan, Great article.Yet another example of Norwegian naivete in action; funding schools in areas known world-wide for their preaching of intolerance justified by the teachings of Islam.

"More dollars than sense" seems to be the case here.

Michael Skretteberg
Claremont, Canada
*****

Regarding the story Work permit delays under fire, this comes as no surprise. As a foreign worker myself, when I first applied it took over six months to initially be told 'no.' When I applied again (after securing myself a job) it still took two to three months, excluding the police check which had already been done.

One thing that isn't made 'public' is that people (certainly from EU countries) can get banks to apply for a temporary FD number which means they can open a bank account and have a reference for future UDI correspondence/job applications. Often banks deny this as it's extra work for them, but once you point out you know friends who have they soon 'realise' they can.

Also, there seemed to be no difference between an EU-resident applying and a non-EU resident. I would have assumed there would be a 'fast-track' system or something, but alas, no. Too easy.

Wendy Harrison-Fox
Oslo
*****

Regarding the story Taxi drivers linked to gangs, how and why does Norway allow this to happen -- so many examples, no wonder the state is used and abused!

They should send these (people) back to where they came (from), otherwise there will develop a backlash of racial tension in Norway which will be sad for those immigrants who are honest.

Perhaps Norway and Europe should adopt the same system as the Middle East, where expatriates live and their children are born but they can NEVER become nationalized citizens and if they should break the law they are repatriated to their country of origin. If Norway adopted the same system then all immigrant crime will either halt or those that do the deed are exported back, which saves the state a fortune in legal and jail costs.

Richard Stein
France
*****

Regarding the story Egeland urges negotiation, also with terrorists, it's good to hear about people with common sense. Too bad that the EU is not strongly opposing the US adminstration and willingfully following into the next disaster: Iran.

1.2 million Iraqis and 800,000 Afghanis are dead now.

Guenter Monkowski
Holualoa, Hawaii, USA
*****

I saw the article about Jan Egeland wanting to negotiate with Islamofacists. It should be kept in mind that the so-called religion of peace, Islam, defines peace as the absence of all opposition. They will only negotiate to gain an advantage, and when any agreement is no longer useful it is once again time for terrorist attacks.

Keep in mind that Islam wants Europe under their control. If they ever get it they will make Hitler look like a Sunday School teacher hosting an ice cream social.

Ron Lee (was Lid, when Halvor from Norway came to the USA)
North Dakota, USA
*****

Regarding the storyEthiopia: Norway supports ‘terrorists’ in Africa

Hail Norway !! It stood for the rule of law and defended the underdog, when the cowards in the EU, AU, US state department would not dare speak out.

The current rulers of Ethiopia are barking on a wrong country. All this is to do with its refusal to abide by international law on the border ruling with Eritrea.

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID =15268410&postID=5396384229791195547

As we know, there has for decades been a border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and as part of this partnership, we basically have been ignoring a commission that was put in place, with the agreement of Ethiopia and Eritrea, to respect the boundaries as established by the commission, and here we are walking away from that in order to have the Ethiopians' partner be our proxy and invade Somali on our behalf. What is that going to do to the cause of peace? We are telling everybody in Africa what? They can now ignore peaceful methods of solving problems because if somebody makes a deal with us, we will negate the basic understandings of abiding by peaceful solutions. The whole thing stinks. It is something that we need to talk about. I am glad we are having a hearing today. The last part we need to look at is, number one, what comes with repression? Corruption, and we have overwhelming corruption going on in Ethiopia. I have been trying to fight, for years, for some of my constituents who happen to have come from that country whose property was confiscated, and what happens? It goes right into the pockets of the clique that runs the country.

The full webcast video of "IS THERE A HUMAN RIGHTS DOUBLE STANDARD? U.S. POLICY TOWARD EQUATORIAL GUINEA AND ETHIOPIA JOINT HEARING," http://boss.streamos.com/real/international/ 56_io051007.smi

Simon Mace
California, USA
*****

As a human being, I am very troubled to hear of the exhumation of the Viking burial site known as Oseberg mound.

As an American Indian (from Wisconsin USA), I am appalled and dismayed at the lack of respect you have for your own ancestors. Such ghoulish academic curiosity is a characteristic I could never understand nor accept about European culture (a trait seemingly shared by many Americans descended from Europeans).

I am certain that your archaeologists have rationalized this wonderful adventure with every academic justification. It is nonetheless a great shame that such a travesty is allowed to occur. Although they are not of my people, today I will think about those who are buried there, and apologize for the humiliating acts of sacrilege they have been forced to endure.

Andrew Gokee
Wisconsin, USA
*****

As a foreigner (African) living in Norway, it is a shock for me to know that one of the ambulance drivers in the Ali Farah case was involved with a neo-Nazi group and I am stunned that the health authorities knew about his backround but nevertheless allowed him to work as personnel whose job is to give first aid in the streets when needed!!

I agree that people can give up their past, but the backround of that ambulance driver should have been a signal to the health autorities, when we know that ambulance drivers are in direct contact with the population! How many former Nazis are working in Norwegian offices? The answer is "let's wait till the next scandal."

So many foreigners are refused jobs here in Norway because they have a criminal backround that is more often just minor crimes. We question here the entities like Ullevål Hospital that allegedly recruit personnel with a Nazi backround! Had he been a foreigner with the same backround, he certainly would have never got the job.

How many scandals like the Ali Farah case or the Eugene Obiora case will Norway need to take all measures to ensure that racists whoever they are (black,white,yellow...) are tracked and severely punished? Because I think that those kind of people are those who damage the image of this peaceful nation.

I believe that Norway, a country that itself was oppressed under the German occupation, knows what it is to be oppressed and discriminated against! May scandals involving racist acts stop in this country known as the one where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded.

Eric Lumumba
Orkdal
*****

(In response to the story: Norway 'shocked' over diplomatic expulsion)

Why should the Norwegian government be "shocked" over the diplomatic expulsions, except perhaps that it realizes its duplicity is being exposed. It knows very well that it has been the policy of the Norwegian government to provide money, funding and diplomatic support for groups engaged destabilizing other countries.

Although the Norwegian public may be unaware of or indifferent to their government spending money supporting dubious groups in other countries in Norway's effort to appear to the world as a promoter of peace, this latest news indicates that the countries who are paying the price of Norway's ambitions and support of terrorism are fully aware of it.

Ethiopia should be congratulated for defending itself from foreign meddling and interference. As for the minister's "amazement" at the expulsion, I presume what has truly amazed and shocked him is that Norway is once again exposed to the world as a failure when it comes to brokering/facilitating peace. As correctly stated in the article, it's not the first time Norway's so called peace-brokering efforts overseas have suffered a blow. Norway's ambitions for its diplomatic and peace-keeping efforts have been proven to be failures in the middle east, Africa and Sri Lanka.

In the case of Nepal, Norway's offer to get involved was rejected because of the exposure of its support of the Tamil terrorists in Sri Lanka. As suggested by Ethiopia, Norway should rectify its mistakes and be more helpful. Let us all hope that the government's shock and amazement will translate to a review of its foreign policy or as others view it, foreign interference in the guise of peace broker.

Ira de Silva
London, Ontario, Canada
*****

I read the article about the expulsion of Norwegian diplomats in today's Aftenposten under the title "Norway 'shocked' over diplomatic expulsion." It was so amazing and surprising for many Ethiopians why Meles' reaction shocked them... Why would a rich country like Norway get shocked when a brutal and oppressive regime expelled diplomats? Isn't it the nature of dictators to attack, accuse and insult those who oppose them or have different ideas and attitudes. Wasn't it clear for the Norwegian authorities all these years that the Meles Zenawi regime has been constantly attacking opposition groups? Haven't they seen or heard how the European Union election observers were rudely insulted?

What has amazed many of us Ethiopians in exile is the short memory of Norwegian authorities when it comes to cooperation and collaboration with dictatorial regimes like Meles Zenawi. I am a refugee who got the opportunity to save my life and my freedom in Norway. I consider Norway as my own country and I am worried by the Norwegian foreign policy when the authorities don't take adequate measures to sanction dictatorial regimes. It was countless times Ethiopians all over the world cried out for the injustices they suffer in the hands of brutal security forces. A reaction which didn't come at the right time will always jeopardize the accountability and the image of my beloved second country Norway.

Norway's reaction was too smooth towards the Ethiopian government even after 193 peaceful demonstrators were massacred after the May 2005 election. Then, the Norwegian ministry was not amazed or shocked when unarmed citizens were gunned down in broad daylight. Writing reports about the political condition in Ethiopia was not enough, there was a very high expectation and dismay from Ethiopian's side when the Norwegian government wasn't willing or unable to denounce the human tragedy that followed the election. The massacre and the brutality didn't happen only that time. Since Meles Zenawi came to power in May 1991, opposition groups suffered a lot. Meles Zenawi crushed mercilessly both nationalist groups who support the idea of unity and separatists who claim secession and independence. Playing the ethnic card, he was able to put into practise the old and popular "divide and rule" trick. The hilarious part of this event is that, the Norwegian authorities weren't amazed or shocked all these years the way they do now. Why? The magnitude of the shock was supposed to be higher when human beings die like flies rather than the expulsion of six healthy diplomats? What will Norway lose by stopping cooperation with the Meles Zenawi oppressive government? What is really the interest of Norway in a country ravaged by war, poverty and internal conflicts?

When such shameful reactions came from a brutal dictator, we Ethiopians have expected bold and strong reaction from the Norwegian government and quit the diplomatic relation at once. But what is displayed from the tone of Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs is "regret". Where does that regret come from? Is it from the wrong and unethical cooperation they had with the dictator or from what. "Regret " belongs to wrongdoers, murderers, human right violators, etc. So it is a puzzle for many Ethiopians to hear the word "regret " from Norwegian authorities. The context of that "regret" is unclear.... A wonderful democratic and prosperous country like Norway shouldn't have any cooperation with Meles Zenawi's regime in the first place. A war lord who came to power by gun shouldn't get a single penny all these years from the Norwegian taxpayers.

While the dispute is a shock to the Norwegian authorities, many Ethiopians are pleased by the event and we will pray hard until that unethical cooperation crumbles. Because the donation given to oppressive regimes emboldens Meles Zenawi to strengthen his military power and use all means to squash his opponents. As long as the money flows to his party and government, why would a dictator like Meles Zenawi give up his power through ballot...

Regret is good and productive only when one learns from mistakes and plans to do something good in the future. It is the Ethiopians hope and wish that the Norwegian authorities regret comes from their unethical cooperation with a dictatorial regime and their reluctance to denounce Meles and act in favour of the oppressed Ethiopian people.

Leoul Mekonen
Oslo
*****

I really enjoy the Aftenposten English internet edition... it's just about the only way we get any news from and about Norway and Scandinavia on this side of the pond. Keep it coming to us!

The story about offshore accounts being used to hide income and assets caught my attention today: Norway must radically restructure its outrageous taxation system if this sort of practice is to stop. People are not fools!

Great Britain and other European countries used to have the same problems with "tax exiles" and offshore asset shelters back in their socialist economics days of the '60s and '70s. Maggie Thatcher's government later dismantled the confiscatory tax structures in Britain (which were virtually the same as in use today in Norway), with the result that all that offshore money "came back home" to Britain, economic activity boomed, and government tax revenues increased several times over, even at the now lower rates. Similar results were had in the US n the '80s with President Reagan's tax cuts. I know several very intelligent and talented people who had at one time considered emigrating to Norway (for various reasons of their own), but who ultimately decided not to go because of the ruinous taxation they would be subject to on their income and assets.

I understand Norway's cultural aversion to anyone seeming to do any better economically than their neighbor, but that attitude is directly responsible for Norway's looming economic crisis: you cannot fund Norway's over-generous cradle-to-grave social welfare services using a tax system that stifles national economic activity and drives companies and individuals to hide assets in the Cayman Islands for fear of losing most of it to the tax authorities. Tax revenues do not increase by continuously raising tax rates; history on both sides of the Atlantic has repeatedly shown that government revenues will increase many times over when the nation's economy is relieved of excessive tax burdens.

Mike Burcke
Oklahoma City USA
*****

Regarding the stories about the ambulance drivers who left a man in need, I can not help but believe that had he been a white woman bleeding in the park, this would not have happened.

Anti-racism in Norway is getting better, but amongst certain age ranges it is still prevalent. As a "white" woman with many "non-white friends" I see it.

Ignorance is not an excuse. I've lived here a little over six years but I am often treated better than second-generation "non-whites." And it annoys me. White folk aren't always "natives" and "non-whites" aren't always non-natives.

Often you see school kids on public transport, and it's like a Benetton advert. Kids don't care about race/colour. Adults do.

The government and sports clubs try to "promote" equality and thankfully it seems to work for kids. But not adults. And not just the elder adults.

Norge is a multi-cultural and multi-national country. The adults need to learn from the kids!

Wendy Harrison-Fox
Oslo
*****

Your article Shootout on Oslo's North Side felt like deja vu to me as a resident of the Toronto area in Canada. We, too, have a large population of Tamils from Sri Lanka, about 100,000 in fact.

Most of these people were generously given refugee status by Canada after arriving in our country from Sri Lanka. This is fine because Canada needs people and immigrants are welcome. Sadly, some of the Tamils in our community appear unable to leave the politics of the Sri Lanka separatist war behind and violence is the result.

As chronicled in a recent report by Human Rights Watch, the Tamil Tigers use sympathizers to harass and perpetrate violence on the community in order to raise funds for purchasing bullets and guns and other lethal material for use in their separatist war in Sri Lanka. Credit card fraud, drug running, thuggery, passport forgery, and human trafficking are among other crimes being perpetrated by Tamil Tiger supporters in Canada.

For example, Tamil businesses are regularly skimmed for funds by visits of Tiger representatives. Large sums of money are involved. If you do not pay up, your business is destroyed or violence is used. Households get the same treatment. Anything written by Tamils that does not conform to the Tamil Tiger line is noted and the writers are assaulted. Hindu temples are notorious for the fundraising they conduct after falling into the hands of Tiger activists. Occasionally, sword attacks and shootings occur within the community --- sometimes with lethal consequences --- most likely related to factions and gangs. Canadians are fed up of this abuse of their generosity.

As a result of pressure from the Americans, Canada outlawed the Tamil Tigers in 2005. Police raids have also put pressure on the Tiger fundraising network but ... they ... carry on illegal activities with scarcely any change in their fundraising capacity. Because of the votes involved in a few seats in the Toronto area, politicians cravenly pander to these violent terrorists caring not a whit about what they perpetrate in a poor country far, far away. These shameless and amoral politicians are very fierce in fighting Quebec separatism and 'Islamic' terrorism at home, but protect the Tamil Tigers in the cause of a few parliamentary seats. Does this sound familiar to Norwegians?

In my view, the only way to protect innocent Tamils and the rule of law is to come down harshly on Tamil Tiger activities and to vote out the pathetic politicians who pander to them. Norway, because of its involvement in the peace process in Sri Lanka, needs to be extra vigilant about being neutral, something she has not succeeded in doing because of weak politicians, confused aims, and misguided loyalties.

A Yapa
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*****

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Mail keeps coming in on Princess Martha Louise's new "angel school." With this we'll draw a line on reaction to Norway's self-professed clairvoyant royal.

I have just read the article about Princess Martha starting a school and would like to encourage her to keep her head high and go forward in her mission.

It is not too late to light our world with positive thinking and affect changes in the direction our planet is heading. We are more blessed than we realize. We as humans have forgotten the language of love and selflessness. Schools like this foster grass-roots efforts to reclaim that connection to our allies that surround us and care for us.

Dave Purce
Prescott, Arizona, USA
*****

Hurrah for Princessen Marta Louise!

There are always critics to anyone's life. Most of the time I have found critics never bother to do any research and just enjoy wild criticisim without any facts. Back to Saint Veronica... the idea of offering comfort is part of Christian belief as well as shamanism. Today, there are many people who practice the laying on of hands in worship and massage services. There is a lot of massage therapy offered in Seattle hospitals as well as in the city's old Scandinavian neighborhoods...

And what is wrong with a princess communing with horses? Saint Brigid of Kildare in Ireland today is considered the guardian of Farm Animals as well as healers, and midwives! Her reputation as a SPIRIT GUIDE remains to this day!

Who is the princess? Martha Louise or the small-minded people who say she isn't a good Lutheran? Why are there at least three kinds of Luthern churches in America? ALC, ElC, and German Lutheran? Who is a good Lutheran?

Stephanie Vogel
Seatte, Washington, USA
*****

Perhaps Princess Martha Louise could contact God and have Him (or Her) turn off the clouds and rain in Norway for the rest of the summer. That way she could really earn her keep!

Stephen Gillmer
Vancouver, Washington, USA
*****

(EDITOR'S NOTE: We've had a lot of reaction to stories about Princess Martha Louise this week, after she launched a web site on which she said she was clairvoyant and aimed to help people contact angels.Here's a sampling:)

As a non-Norwegian I read with interest and amazement the various negative reactions to (Princess) Marta Louise's venture. I guess mankind is making some progress though. Just a few hundred years ago the churches and other critics would be torturing her and burning her at the stake as they did to hundreds of thousands of women across Europe.

Talking to angels and the like is not really considered so outlandish in the USA or England, with hundreds of books written on the subject. Here is a person who obviously has some experience in this field and believes that this could be valuable to others in some form of healing process. Isn't it just possible to say "this isn't something for me but I respect her choice in life and her desire to improve the lives of others." After all people can decide to attend or not.

Surely the test for any treatment is in the results. Any downside of "talking to angels" has got to be small. Considering the growing awareness that a lot of illness has a mental cause, any progress in this area should be welcomed.

I do not have any experience in talking to angels. But I could sure do with some help filing out my Norwegian tax return – and paying it! Maybe I’ll give her a call....

Tony Parkins
Røyken
*****

I find that anything that the Royal Family does is of interest. As a little girl I remember seeing a picture of Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth, of England, pulling up her white sock, and that made her just like every other little girl, for I had that problem, too.

I believe in angels, that each of us has a guardian angel, and that the angels are close to us. I am interested in Princess Marta Louise's web-site, but would enjoy seeing it in English. There are usually pros and cons to everything, but let us all be more positive. It is so easy to be critical.

My thoughts are that knowledge is something to be striveed for, not stiffled. I think that it was our Abraham Lincoln who once said "Learn something new every day," and that I try to do.

Eloise Elizabeth Levanger Schleck
Marion, Illinois, USA
*****

One can only feel that if Princess Martha Louise truly believes that communicating with angels is a healthy and productive way to improve the overall well being of an individual, both physically and emotionally, than by all means open the school. It most certainly cannot hurt a person, like a wrong dose of medicine or a surgery gone wrong, and perhaps in some cases where people are not well or even terminally ill, the hope of an angel may be all they have left.

The mind is a powerful tool and with the proper empowerment and responsible guidance it can restructure itself to new possibilities and amazing outcomes.

Let's hope the Norwegian public keeps an open mind and an open heart for this new venture.

Kari Schumacher
Sayville, New York, USA
*****

(On other subjects...)

After reading about the tax charged to the people of Norway and the Norwegians and Danes going to the animal bordellos I thought, you think you have heard it all but then there is something else.

How sick people are, what a world we live in. Maybe it has always been that way, but now we can get more information through the net. I am so grateful to live in the US, to have had the parents I had, to be brought up with the morals I have.

My husband has relatives in Norway and I know they are really liberal, but I doubt they would approve of animal bordellos. My God!

Rita Nelson
Rochester, Minnesota, USA
*****

Congratulations on a well-written article on the high taxes in Norway. While taxes are a necessary evil, when taxes are raised to cover many things government thinks ought to be taxed just for the purpose of raising unnecessary funds, then that is a raping of the citizens.

The socialists here in the United States are always attempting to raise taxes whether it's on tobacco, wine, alcoholic beverages, and whatever else, but we've managed to stop them as much as we could.

Norwegians, I have to say, have to stop thinking they are owed something from the government. Norwegians should change their philosophy about what the government ought to do for them, and begin to think more independently about what they ought to do for themselves as individuals. Socialism is a failed system, and it is unjust. It does not allow the people to excel the way Americans have excelled to make the US a great and powerful country.

Norwegians need a new mind set, and they have to change the elected officials if they are to start in a new direction. Norway needs to be a pro-capitalist country. Enough of the socialism.

Lee Anthony Nieves
Charlotte, North Carolina
*****

Amazing! People are actually asking if they are getting their money's worth?

Syd Dursse
Hillsborough, NC, USA
*****

It somewhat surprised me when I read Aftenposten online, Parents won fight against mandatory religious class.

There is no question, regardless of many wonderful forward strides Norway has made in recent decades, that it still seems to be a country marred in hypocrisy and contradictions.

Norway awards the Nobel Peace Price, and prides itself on being a practitioner and preacher of human rights. It is shocking to read that it still engages in mandatory religious teachings in the public school system.

Does it not occur to people, that this is offensive to those who do not practice religion or people who are of different religious persuasions?

I am not against religions. I am against mandatory or forced teachings of religion on to the public, especially young naive schoolchildren.

There must be a clear separation of church and state. Religions and its teachings belong in churches, not in the public secular domain.

If democracy is to survive and not cave in on itself. in all fairness to everyone, all public institutions, schools, governments at all levels and bureaucracies must remain free of religious interference.

Due to Norway's modernization and the intake of large numbers of immigrants, perhaps time has come to consider removing the idea of having a state religion.

JW Christophersen
Vancouver, BC, Canada
*****

It's great to so often read about Norway's efforts with regard to climate control.

However, as a 'tongue-in-cheek side thought,' we are also the world's third-biggest exporter of oil. So if we are really serious about this fast-developing climate problem, then maybe we should stop exporting the polution we pump up?

It would be interesting for us to hear from the Norwegian Government about its policy.

Ron Hosking
Jar, Norway
*****

(EDITOR'S NOTE: We've had lots of reaction to the Norwegian Foreign Minister's call for image-building overseas. Here's a sampling of letters from readers, many of whom don't think Norway has to worry about its image at all.)

As an American of Norwegian decent who has recently visited Norway I have nothing but praise for Norway. My wife and I traveled about the country by ship (M/S Nordkapp) and auto, staying with relatives in Kongsvinger and Valldal. Your prices are a bit high but we managed. Don't think your Foreign Minister has anything to worry about; we are more worried about our own reputation.

My mother's parents came from Norway back about 1900 to Portland, Oregon and we visited the village they came from and also the fortress in Kongsvinger, where my great-grandfather Tore Doving was a gunsmith in the 1840s. He even went hunting with the king of a then-united Sweden and Norway, we were told, and married a Swedish woman.

Congratulations on your 100+ years of independence!

Bruce & Virginia Stennett
North Bend, Oregon, USA
*****

Having just returned from a visit to Oslo and Bergen, I believe that the Foreign Minister has not much to worry about. The international image of Norway is very positive. Your country is associated with the most positive aspects and aspirations of human society. Immediately what comes to mind is the Nobel Prize, Norway's contribution to the UN, and its many attempts to maintain peace throughout the troubled world.

The fact that Norway has an investment/pension fund funded by oil kroner is praiseworthy and a matter of pride for Norway. It is all too easy for a state to fritter away such resources like the melting snow. Norway has not done that and this is creditworthy. Naturally the trustees of the fund have to make investment decisions that will not suit everyone, but then that is not their task.

Norway's famliy law system has much to emulate for the rest of us who subscribe to the rule of law. The idea that parting couples must first seek meditaion before they have recourse to the Courts is so relevant and obvious that I wonder why the rest of us did not think of it before now.

Norwegian people are friendly and open. They will take time to explain matters to visitors, indeed in shops, staff go out of their way to assist, even to the point of directing a customer to another rival competitor. The tourist office in Bergen is very busy but the staff are helpful, patient and go the extra mile for you.

Finally, Norway has the ultimate acolade, its beauty, its fjords, its natural beauty. There is no doubt that Norway is a country, a place, one should experience at least once in your life and then as often as you can.

Conal Gibbons
Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim
*****

I find it odd that Norway has decided to sell any stock in Wal-Martbecause it objects to labor practices, but is more than comfortable doing business with Iran. A cynic might conclude that Norway may be more interested in money that values.

Herbert I Deutsch
Deutsch, Coffey & Metz, LLP
New York
*****

Let's see: a cold land somewhere in the North of Europe, sparsely populated by blondes. Has something of a past as the home of the Vikings who set sail about a thousand years ago wearing helmets with horns in rather large canoes, to rape and pillage wherever they landed in Europe. Worse: they then tended not to leave as apparently anything was better than going home! Since then nothing much has happened there; oh apart from Thor Heyerdahl and Kon Tiki.

Paul Sorensen
Johannesburg
*****

I recently read the article in the English version of Aftenposten online about Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and his immersion into public opinion polls about Norway's image in the rest of the world.

I have been reading Aftenposten online for a few years now and continue to read it as it gives me an "outsider's opinion" on the news that affects my homeland, the United States. It's not so much that I care about opinions as much as I care about getting the whole story and not just a one-sided view.

I am intrigued with Norway, its politics, its culture and its people. What really intrigued me was when the Norwegian Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen announced that Norway would be "dumping" its stock in Wal-Mart from the Norwegian Government Pension Fund - Global for "ethics violations". This not only intrigued me, it gave me a sense of what the Norwegian culture considers to be ethical. Selling off Norway's entire stake in Wal-Mart was no small task and I'm sure wasn't just on a whim. I developed a great respect for a nation that stood up to the retail giant and told them that no amount of money was worth putting up with those violations. It takes tremendous character to stand up to the world and not really care what they think, it's doing what is right that matters. Doing the right thing is not always easy, but it is always right.

Norway's image has nothing to worry about as far as I'm concerned. It is a country that I desire to visit in the future. And it's because of its character that I want to visit and experience its culture and its people first'hand.

John H. Soncrant
Altus, Oklahoma, USA
*****

I was born and went to school in Norway. I was only 13 years old when my family decided to leave Norway and emigrate to America. Having lived here now for many years I have always tried to keep up my Norwegian heritage in New York, went to many 17th of May celebrations in Brooklyn, NY. My wife, whom I met here, is also from Norway, we have been going back to Norway about 15 times to visit family and traveling around the country and I am amazed at the infrastructure that's going on there. I read that Norway is known as the tunnel country and I can see why, they are always digging tunnels and some are very long. We just came back from Norway, this time we went on Hurtigruten to the North Cape, a very nice trip, but very expensive.

Here are some things I don't understand about Norway:

Norway is what I call a "controlled society." The government has complete control of the masses, the people believe whatever the government tells them. Find out how much income your neighbor made last year from the tax list. You can get this information from the newspapers. No privacy here.

Norway is the most expensive country in the world, two years in a row... is that something to be proud of?

The government has just found out that the seniors are saving money, the government says that perhaps they are paying the seniors too much and they are thinking of giving them less. Norway is not a supporter of Bush or our goverment. What if Norway had a 9/11?

Perhaps we as tourists should stop spending our money over there. I know I will.

Ragnar Waage
New York
*****

As an American who has lived 40 years in Norway, or as a Norwegian who was born and raised in the USA (I am one or the other, both or neither, identity can be a relative thing), it strikes me that this "omdømmeforum" might profit from input from the likes of me. Not me specifically, but all of us who live here now but once lived somewhere else. There are thousands of us, schizophrenic to a greater or lesser degree when it comes to identity, with roots in more than Norwegian culture but at the same time more Norwegian than anything else.

Because we grew up somewhere else but actually choose to live here (which most Norwegians haven't done!) we are frequently reminded of our otherness, that we are not 100% "norsk." Because of this, many of us live this awareness of the "Norwegian" to a greater or lesser degree every day, correspond with the outside world, answer questions, send emails and essays, read about Norway in obscure local newspapers and magazines.

Which is the point I'm trying to make: We are individuals from many walks of life, many different backgrounds here in Norway, who are in touch with the rest of the world at all kinds of levels, in all kinds of ways and in a very deep and complex way. It's not the same as a bureaucrat who did graduate work at Harvard or an artist who lived in New York for a year. We weren't visitors and we weren't Norwegians abroad. We lived a different identity. What a newspaper columnist from the San Bernardino Sun might find interesting and noteworthy is not necessarily what would get written up in the New York Times. And because I grew up in San Bernardino County (Redlands) and went to high school with that columnist, I know WHY he's interested in what he's interested in, I understand what the reaction is based on. A friend in Oslo who grew up in Algeria, moved to Paris as a teenager, then to Norway as a 30-something, has a deeper and different understanding of why Frenchmen and French muslims feel the way they do about Norway, or why they don't think of Norway at all.

An acquaintance of mine who works as a union organizer at the grass roots level in New Jersey was enormously cheered and inspired by the fact that Norway blacklisted Wal-Mart, because he lives the union busting, low-pay, anti-labor politics of that corporation every living hour of the day, it blew him away to think that an entire nation stood the stand that it did.

I have worked in museums in Norway for over 20 years and explain and interpret Norwegian history and culture for English and American (jada, jada, US and Canadian) visitors every year. I experience the greater or lesser degree of knowledge that they have and I experience what they are most interested in learning more about. I also experience how hard it is to make them understand a foreign culture. They will always tend to understand it in terms of their own background. My personal background makes it easier for me to make traditional boatbuilding or farming techniques or modern fishery politics and Cold War policies understandable to visitors from the US, (also to visitors from Great Britain to a lesser degree).

Which brings us full circle in one way: If you want to really understand how an Australian or a Malaysian or a Canadian or a Fijian perceives Norway, you really need to have a certain understanding of how each of them perceives the world, and there are thousands of us here in Norway who could help do that. Some of us are even interested in doing so!

John Svendsen (American)
(or)
Sverre Johan Svendsen (norsk)
Kristiansund
*****

I'm Italian, but my blood is 50% Norwegian, as my father was a sailor from Trondheim. I love Norway and I feel my roots very strongly, even if I only lived in Trondheim a few months when I was a very little boy.

After my parents' divorce, when I was three years old, I came back in Italy and was able to return to Norway only when I was 19. I've studied Norwegian with the Linguaphone method and after that I had a course at the International Summer School in Oslo. The more I knew Norway, the more I wanted to come to live in this wonderful country, and I tred to prepare myself for this.

I asked for dual-citizenship, but they told me I had to choose, Italian or Norwegian, and I didn't have the courage to became a foreigner in the country where I was born and where I was studying to became anaestetist.

In Italy is not easy to live, especially if one is a foreigner from a country outside Europe! So I decided to wait, but my love for Norway didn't become less strong.

Unfortunately I missed my goal! Now I'm 50, I'm married and my wife doesn't want to move. I hope my two daughters will be able to make the choice I was not able to make because I wasn't strong enough or selfish enough.

I hope my daughters will understand that Norway is a country that helps its people to became what they like and deserve to be, a country where nature is wonderful and freedom is not a sterile word. a country where it is worth to live!

Ja jeg elsker dette landet!

Rossano Øyangen
Casanova di Sant'Olcese, Italy
*****

Your article on the Foreign Minister's concerns about Norway's image was interesting. My grandparents emigrated to the United States from Norway and I have visited family in Norway many times (we are planning another trip to go to Svalbard in January, 2008). Here's a combination of what I and my USA friends think of Norway:

As you can see, I think Norway overall has a very fine image. Perhaps your foreign minister should come to the USA and help us with our very damaged image....although that will take years thanks to Bush.....

I enjoy reading your paper and thanks for all your hard work.

Lori Christopher Glenn
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
*****

I am a Kenyan, married to a Norwegian and living in Oslo. I truly believe Norway needs to promote its image abroad. In Kenya, Norway is hardly known. When you mention the name, most people will ask where it is on the world map and to others, all they know is that it's the country that once hosted a politician who had issues with the previous government.

Very few Kenyans will know where the Norwegian embassy in Nairobi is located. I think Norway is not very outspoken in that third-world African country.

I have come to like Norway's policicies on most issues and i will be very proud to let my fellow Kenyans know this is a very important country. And they should stop of thinking that "abroad" means America or Britain, which are the most outspoken countries.

Jane Njeri
Oslo
*****

As an international lawyer who takes an interest in human rights I think that Norway has some way to go before it is accepted as a fully functioning modern state that has addressed the ghosts of its past.

Coming from Ireland where we have now managed to deal with the wrongs of the past and recent past; we are now very comfortable that all strands of different backgrounds of Irish people can and do fill an important role in our country. This is not only as regards the present day but also how we as a country got to be what we are today. I feel this most especially because I am a Protestant of English origin whose family have lived here since 1570. However until recent years we were treated by many people as outsiders and there was some discrimination. All of this is now dealt with and in the past.

I am aware that there are some skeletons in Norway's cupboard. Not least from the difficult times of the Second World War. I know that there was bad treatment of the children fathered (through no fault of their own) by German soldiers and also issues relating to Jewish property. There are also the very big and unanswered questions about the destruction done to the position, good name and businesses of those Norwegians who were members of NS during the War. It should be remembered that at the time this was perfectly lawful. I am especially aware that at least one prosecution that ruined a leading family (Hannevig) was obtained by not allowing the defence access to the documents that would have demonstrated innocence, and that other families were due to suffer the same fate but the authorities at the time had less stomach for further deception.

In the case of the Hannevigs many of those most closely affected are now dead and died protesting their innocence. The others are very old and in exile and they are due a pardon while they remain alive rather than afterwards. In their case the State is still hiding behind the withholding of documents that demonstrate innocence until the time that the claim of innocence and for the return of assets expropriated cannot be pursued because of time barring. In other words the State will not tell them which papers are withheld and because they were never aware of the exact nature of the Government in Exile's files they have to read every one that is released to try to piece together the answer to what actually happened. Because they don't know what other files exist (and some are to be held for up to 80 years from the time) they will never know when to ask for innocence, and even when their descendants do we can expect the State to hide behind a 20-year time bar! This is neither democratic nor the behaviour of a humane State. Until these issues are clarified in a fair and open way Norway will remain under a cloud of suspicion as regards its past and its record of human rights.

David Beattie
Dublin
*****

I read the article indicating that the Norwegian Foreign Minister is interested in finding out what the world thinks about Norway.

As a Norwegian-American, my father born in Sandefjord and my grandparents in Mandal, I have always loved my heritage. I have visited many times myself and with my family. My father moved to Kvinesdal when he retired and he is now buried in the cemetary at Kvinesdal Kirke.

As I read the Aftenposten daily, I am distraught at what is going on in Norway. My father always told me about Norway's support of the Allies during WWII and how Norway defended itself during the Nazi occupation. His second wife told me stories of resistance to the Nazis when she grew up in Kvinesdal. I am distraught that Norway has seemed to have forgotten the role of the US in helping them during and after the war. It disturbs that Norway is not a supporter of President Bush to the degree that Prime Minister Tony Blair is. When I was there, I sensed an arrogance and a lack of appreciation for the US. I am distraught with the trouble between the State and the Church. I am troubled with the strong influence of homosexuality, the legalization of prostitution, the liberality of abortion, and the list can go on.

I remember a different kind of Norway, one which was more rooted in Christianity and as a result, morality. Norway is on its way down morally, while on its way up economically. What good is it if Norway is one of the best places to live in the world economically, but rapidly deteriorating spiritually? She will reap serious consequences!

I still fly a Norwegian flag on my flagpole, but I fly it for a Norway that I believe in many ways is a memory. Norway needs a more conservative government and a change of heart that only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can produce. I pray for a spiritual awakening in the land of my ancestors.

Dr. William Olsen
Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA
*****

The difference between Norway's international image and the actual experience of living in the country have both similarities and dissimilarities. Granted this is my subjective observation.

Similarities to international image: Norway is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. The Norwegian people are gracious hosts and eager to help tourists. It is also one of the richest and has one of the highest costs of living. Tourists visiting Norway find out that it is a really expensive country to visit.

The Sad Reality: This is a very rich country, but in point of fact, the wealth is not available to all the people.The oil money is locked up tight while a seemingly never-ending debate about "what to do with it" continues. In the meantime, many (most?) public primary schools are grossly under-funded and poorly outfitted. Many children are being raised by institutions from birth through university so that parents can both work to be able to provide for the family. This is a country filled with "working poor."

Facilities for the elderly are poorly funded also and often require contact with newspapers before some local politicians will deal with unspeakable conditions. Those with disabilities must fight for themselves to get their needs met. While professing a dedication to equality, this is a class-oriented society -- children are bullied, adults are discriminated against (age, race, socio-economic status, dialect and home community play a large role) in how one is perceived and evaluated for employment, housing and professional opportunities.

Health care institutions are so underfunded, and staff is so underpaid it is hard to find employees so they are for the most part also understaffed. Due to lack of facitilities etc. patients are forced to wait for treatment, evaluation and surgery. Those with enough money travel to other countries to obtain the care they need. Meanwhile, billions of kroner are sent out of the country to be used on the worldwide scene and the politicians are raking in huge benefits and pension packages. In some ways this reminds me of pre-French revolutionary times, when the elite had little compassion or interest in the masses while busily posturing on the world stage.

The most humorous situation reported in the news lately should be a huge embarrassment: Norwegian embassies are so under-funded that many had to cancel their 17th of May celebrations or turn them into "POT LUCK BUFFETS" with the guests bringing their own food! Am I the only one who sees the hilarity in this when the government is so concerned with their international reputation?

I was surprised to discover that until the discovery of oil, Norway was a third-world country. In less than one generation it has jumped to the status of nouveau riche. Maybe we should go easy on Norway, it seems to be struggling with its new identity much like a teenager who thinks they know "it all" without having much experience in "it" at all.

Leah Garhovd
Vennesla
*****