Why Norway?

Afterposten ^ | May 22 2003 | Robert Gjerde and Morten Fyhn

[knighthawk]

The news that Norwegian interests in Muslim nations were now targets of al-Qaida terrorism stunned Norwegian authorities. Security at embassies was immediately stepped up as baffled experts and politicians tried to fathom why Norway had made the list.

Confusion was rampant after Osama bin Laden's closest adviser Ayman al-Zawahri added Norway to the more predictable list of the USA, Great Britain and Australia - active partners in the alliance against Iraq - as targets for a new wave of terrorist attacks.

The threat was being taken very seriously, but one of the first reactions was that Norway must have been confused with another country. Several theories were quick to emerge.

Mullah Krekar?

The editor for Britain's leading pro-Arab newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi, Abdel Bari-Atwan, believes Norway's treatment of mullah Krekar, alleged leader the guerilla group Ansar al-Islam operating in northern Iraq, is reason enough to come on al-Qaida's list.

Krekar's group has been linked to al-Qaida by various sources. Krekar faces prosecution and expulsion from Norway for links to terrorism, and this would be considered a serious offense in Krekar's extremist Muslim circles.

Afghanistan?

Bari-Atwan, speaking to newspaper Stavanger Aftenbladet, also mentioned Norway's active role assisting allied in Afghanistan as possible factor in the al-Qaida threat.

Norwegian special forces are still helping hunt al-Qaida and Taliban forces in Afghanistan, and newspaper VG cited an "intelligence source" as saying Norwegian forces and fighter jets in Afghanistan "had clearly hit the terrorist network, directly and hard".

The Norwegian Defense Intelligence Service (FO/E) has also played an active role in aiding US colleagues, VG reported. The newspaper also speculated that the death of al-Zawahri's wife and three daughters in a bomb attack on Kandahar might have some links to Norwegian efforts in Afghanistan.

Norway to be an example to others?

"I have twisted my brain trying to find an answer, and after rejecting most theories I am left with this: Al-Qaida knows a local group is ready to attack a Norwegian target," Stein Toenesson of the International Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) told Aftenposten.

"I fear a Norwegian target has been chosen, and this will increase the fear of terrorism in the USA and other countries on the list. But the idea of all this could be just to create fear," said a baffled Toenesson.

Vigilance, not panic

Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik called for Norwegians abroad to be extra observant.

"We take the threats seriously and have informed Norwegian embassies, businesses and citizens in relevant nations," Bondevik said.

Norway has not followed the lead of the USA and Britain in closing embassies in nations considered to be at special risk.

"In contrast to those nations Norway has not received concrete threats against named targets," said Foreign Ministry (UD) spokesman Karsten Klepsvik.

[knighthawk]

Ping

[knighthawk]

US closes Norwegian embassy
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/916107/posts

[monocle]

Has anyone considered the Oslo Accord which tacitly recognizes Israel's right to exist?

[GraniteStateConservative]

This isn't rocket science. It's probably just because of the 1993 Oslo Accords.

[A_perfect_lady]

Doesn't Norway boycott Israel? Not enough to appease the murderous Islamists, obviously.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Hey, you beat me to it. I can't believe the writer of this story didn't think of it.

[Spruce]

Why Norway?

One word. Lutefisk.

[per loin]

As Norway has not yet fully instantiated sharia, they are an obvious target for the religion of peace. They have only to comply with the will of allah, the compassionate, the merciful, to avoid being slaughtered by the peaceful folk of islam.

[js1138]

Canada, Norway -- all these oissant countries are acting like Gary larson's bear in the bullseye, pointing at their neighbors and hoping someone else will be the target. Whatever happens, they cannot possibly be part of the solution. That would be risky.

[epluribus_2]

-- Has anyone considered the Oslo Accord which tacitly recognizes Israel's right to exist?

Allowing Joows to live is an atrocity to Nazis and Islam.

[Dog]

Thanks knighthawk. Why do you think AQ singled out Norway....you are from that neck of the woods??

[Guillermo]

Exactly.

Norway is a target because EVERY non-Muslim nation is a target.

And even Muslim nations, which don't practice the "right kind" of Mohammedanism, are targets.

[Thud]

Osama is jealous of Arafat's Nobel Peace Prize. He wants one too.

[VOA]

Doesn't Norway boycott Israel? Not enough to appease the murderous Islamists, obviously.

Plus they aren't yet under Shari'a Law.

Someday, even the silent moderate Muslims will get a clue.
The Wahhabist strain of Al-Quida is out to get non-Muslims.
They they will go after Muslims who aren't Wahhabists.
Moderat Muslims Listen: "You're Next"

[Codie]

Perhaps it's just a target of opportunity.

[Shermy]

My two cents:

It's the oil, stupid!

[alloysteel]

Why Norway and why now?

Because Norway may be perceived as a "softer" target than the US, and in the version of "shock and awe" as practiced by al-Qaeda, so unexpected as to spread great alarm in the West.

And there is already a sizable Muslim "fifth column" within Norway or the nearby European community, given sanctuary over the years. Plus the fact that Norway is one of the major oil producers in today's world, and as such, dilute the market strength of the Middle East oil producers.

[Koblenz]

Maybe Norway won't sit out the next war, realizing that modern day Quisling tactics don't win them any favors with this crowd.

[Seydlitz]

Why Norway? It says why right in the article. Moreover, anyone who followed the Afghan campaign knows why. Norway sent its special forces to Afghanistan. As they are specialists in high-altitude and cold climate warfare, they were partcularly effective in ambushing and targeting airstrikes on al-Qaeda and Taliban forces hiding in the mountains.

The Norwegians sharpened their skills during the Cold War. As one of two NATO countries bordering the Soviet Union, they used to play ugly games of hide-and-seek with Soviet SPETSNAZ. They have maintained that sharp edge by working closely with Britain's Special Air Service.

Finally, it must be noted that while most Norwegians are pacifistic, their government is not. The Norwegian government has committed itself to maintaining some military-political relevance in the 21st century. Accordingly, it has scaled back its conventional forces and built up its special forces. In addition, it has reduced its littoral warfare navy and focused on building its high seas fleet for global operations alongside the United States.