NORWAY: Majority supports military strike

A new poll indicates that six out of 10 Norwegians believe the country should join the US in military attacks against terrorism, if diplomatic efforts fail.

Only 12 percent, however, believed the US should attack Afghanistan, a possibility that's been raised because Afghanistan reportedly harbors suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden.

A whopping 83.4 percent believe attempts should be made to get countries harboring suspected terrorists to hand them over, before any military attacks are launched.

Two top politicians from the ruling Labour Party, meanwhile, told newspaper VG on Wednesday that they believe NATO and the US must have convincing proof that Osama bin Laden is behind last week's terrorist attacks on the US, before Norway joins a military action.

"If Norway is asked to participate at all, we must have adequate evidence before Norwegian participation is approved," said Haakon Blankenborg, an earlier head of the parliament's foreign relations committee.

Espen Barth Eide of the foreign ministry agreed, noting that Norway already is participating in an "enormous" international intelligence effort to track down terrorists.

Norway has received international criticism for allegedly being lukewarm about military support for a strike against terrorism, but Defense Minister Bjørn Tore Godal claims Norway will give full support to the US if needed.

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Statement by Prime Minister Kok on the eve of Prinsjesdag

The following quotes are from a statement made by Prime-Minister Kok of the Netherlands during a meeting with editors of the Dutch newspapers. Prime-Minister Kok made the statement on the eve of "Prinsjesdag", the day the Queen will hold her 'State of the Nation' address in Parliament.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

(… ) It is clear that international terrorism has to be dealt with using the uttermost force however far-reaching the effects might be. The Netherlands will do everything possible to track down and fight international terrorism. Here in the Netherlands, and also internationally, a broad range of measures must be taken which in the long run can fully dismantle international terrorism. We will do this vigorously together with our allies. This of course does not only apply to governments, it also concerns individual citizens. Everyone will be aware of the changes and will have to think about his own responsibility in contributing to a safer society in the future. Close coordination is necessary in all areas, also in our own country. I have invited my colleagues in the Government to discuss tomorrow morning what we can do to further improve the coordination efforts and to commit ourselves to an intensive follow-up. It is clear that this demands decisiveness in the short term and endurance in the long run. It is self-evident that I, together with my colleagues, feel responsible for this process. The terrorist attacks on the US, were not only attacks on the US, but an attack on all of us. It was an attack on Western society -- on the democratic and free world. International terrorism has declared war on us -- this regards us all and we have no choice. It demands resolute responses. The international community can count on the Netherlands. Together with other European countries, we are fully obliged to do everything we can to gather evidence and to hunt down those responsible for these cowardly attacks. President Bush is entitled to our support and recognition. His administration's stance, is one of decisiveness and responsibility and shows the willingness of the administration to consult closely with the United States' allies, as was reiterated in yesterday's conversation between Secretary of State Powell and Minister of Foreign Affairs Van Aartsen. The Netherlands is a friend of the United States and now more than ever the United States can be assured of the full support of the Dutch government.

source: Royal Dutch Embassy

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