Norway shocked by 'al-Qaeda' threat

BBC ^ | 5-21-03

[mikenola]

Norway should have been included in a threat attributed to the al-Qaeda network broadcast on Al-Jazeera television on Wednesday.

The hope of the authorities was that al-Qaeda simply got their geography wrong and did not mean to threaten Norway at all

The threat from what is said to be the al-Qaeda network has baffled authorities and people here alike. Analysts are struggling to come up with any reasons why Norwegian embassies and interests abroad should be singled out for attacks from Muslim fundamentalists.

Norway has traditionally been seen as a peacemaker in the Middle East and the country protested against the war in Iraq.

The government has also been critical of aspects of Washington's declared war on terror.

Awaiting instructions

One possible reason which has been put forward is the presence of Norwegian special forces in Afghanistan, but this is a small force and other countries have a much more pronounced presence there.

Norway's diplomatic efforts in the Middle East is considered a welcome activity by most of the Arab world and not a root cause for Muslim anger.

The threat is being taken seriously, however, and Norwegian interests abroad are awaiting instructions from Oslo about any possible extra security measures to be taken.

The hope of the authorities, as expressed by one diplomat, was that al-Qaeda simply got their geography wrong and did not mean to threaten Norway at all.

[Shermy]

"Reading" a norwegian site there seems to be a contention that maybe Norway was confused for Denmark. Which lefty Norwegians see as pro-american, more prominent in the war on terror. Danish involvement is not linked to Afghanistan because, I suspect, the liberation of Afghanistan has undeniably positive elements which are difficult to address coming from a reflexive anti-American mindset.

Perhaps they are unaware of the significance of Norway's actions in Afghanistan.

But let's say Norway is targeted for it proposing "peace." This BBC article is a classic in liberal denial. They assume a stance of surprise rather than make the logical conclusion about their priveleged other: Zawahiri, etc. don't want peace. To admit that is to admit that all faults lay with the West and its lackies. It also would open the door to the realization that the Jihadists and Wahhabis see themselves in a permanent war with non-Muslims and that they define "peace" as occuring only when the "House of War" is converted or subjugated.

[keithtoo]

Dont forget folks, the Norwegians are typical Euroweenie cowards who think they will be ignored if they are quiet.

Three things:
1. Terrorists are cowards who would much rather attack quivering Euroweenies than a country with real resolve
2. Everyone who is not a Muslim (and some who are) is a target. The Norweenies can convert or they can die.
3. The terrorists will not be bought off with money or silence.

[Shermy]

Oh, and I'll throw out my oil production quota idea here too...

[Seydlitz]

Again, Norway sent a lot of special forces to Afghanistan. Not surprisingly, they are very good at cold weather and high altitude combat. So, either the al-Qaeda guys are confusing the Poles with the Norwegians in Iraq, or are confused between Iraq and Afghanistan.

[gridlock]

Oh, and I'll throw out my oil production quota idea here too...

Interesting idea, that...

[armed_in_sydney]

My guess he's confusing Norway with Denmark.

[husky ed]

Any chance some of the terrorist were educated in the U.S.?
Then they'd more than likely get loss in Spain or France or even South Dakota.

[doc30]

Well, maybe it's revenge for hosting the Oslo peace process. After all, if you promote peace with Israel, you become an islamofacist target.

[armed_in_sydney]

Interesting,thanks.

[Chewbacca]

All those viking raids are coming back to haunt them.

[Juan Medén]

That's right. They're tired of renting the videos.

[Dog Gone]

The hope of the authorities, as expressed by one diplomat, was that al-Qaeda simply got their geography wrong and did not mean to threaten Norway at all.

"Norway? Did we say Norway? Allahdammit, we meant Newfoundland!"

[aristeides]

Zawahiri or whoever it was mentioned Norway twice. I don't think it was a mistake.

[b4its2late]

There's lots of people that don't get it. They just can't get their politically correct little minds wrapped around that fact.

Unfortunately, you've got that right.....

[aristeides]

The Normans took back Sicily from the Moslems back in the Middle Ages.

[Jim Noble]

Norway hosted the Oslo negotiations, which tried to slow down the eradication of the Jews and the repossession of sacred Palestine.

Isn't that enough?