Russia reclassified as a military threat

www.aftenposten.no ^ | 13 Feb 2007, 12:01 | Aftenposten English Web Desk Nina Berglund

[Kurt_Hectic]

Norwegian defense officials aren't declaring a new Cold War with Russia, but Norway's huge neighbour in the northeast is once again being described as a threat, also in the military sense.

Relations between Russia and Norway have been strained of late, over incidents ranging from illegal fishing in the Barents to collapsed investment prospects in Russian gas fields to Russian restrictions on salmon imports.

At the same time, Russia has been asserting itself all over Europe, often in unpopular ways. It has cut off gas supplies to countries that don't agree to its terms, it has refused entry to top officials traveling to Russia on business, and it has rekindled Russian nationalism to a degree that worries human rights activists. Suspicious murders of government critics also have sparked widespread international concern.

Newspaper Aftenposten has gone through a series of recent speeches and reports written by Norwegian defense officials, and documented use of descriptions of Russia that reflect the recent tensions.

The most revealing was a fresh report from the defense institute FFI (Forsvarets forsvarsinstitutt) that analyzed threats against Norway. In the report, which sets the premises for the Defense Ministry from 2009 to 2012, Russia is identified as a "military threat." There's no fear of invasion, but rather a "limited, military action."

The report notes that the institute may be criticized for its classification of Russia, but even Defense Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen has altered her word usage of late. She has stressed that Russia isn't likely to exert power, but notes that its military build-up can't be overlooked.

"We must be aware that developments can take another direction than we want and expect," Strøm-Erichsen said in a recent speech before the defense group Oslo Militære Samfund.

'Demand for attention'

Espen Barth Eide, state secretary attached to the Defense Ministry, says Russia has consciously positioned itself as an "international player with a demand for attention and influence." Oil income and foreign currency reserves have helped give the country new economic clout that it lacked when the Soviet Union fell apart.

Barth Eide also rejects any talk of a new Cold War, but notes that Russia "is back on the international stage." Its president, Vladimir Putin, is working hard to keep it there, and boost Russian self-confidence.

"It's more important than ever that we continue our policies based on dialogue and concrete cooperation, both multilaterally and bilaterally," Barth Eide told Aftenposten.

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[Kurt_Hectic]

Then Norway should beef up the military, instead of axing units and hardware like mad socialists.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Sweden was socialist, not Norway.

[cdcdawg]

both will be Islamic within 30 years anyway.

[3AngelaD]

You would think that after all the grief Russiaians experienced during the 20th century they would have caught on by now that democracies don't go to war against each other, and the best way to guarantee peace is to live under a democratic government.

[MARKUSPRIME]

I agree. You guys need to bolster your defenses. The US is not the bad guy like the leftists in europe want you to believe. Its Russia,china,and Iran which is the greatest threat to democracy.

[cpdiii]

Then Norway should beef up the military, instead of axing units and hardware like mad socialists.

Correct! Norway has always been a member of Nato and a damn good allies of the United States. It should also be noted that the Norwegians fought the Germans in WWII. The Swedes collaborated with the Germans and the large Swedish Industry sold critical war materials and components to the Germans. We should have bombed the Swedish factories in WWII. They in effect were an integral part of the Nazi War Machine.