Posted on 08/29/2005 5:29:10 AM PDT by franksolich
The front-running Labor Party slipped a bit and the political right surged forward as Norway's national election draws nearer.
Labor fell back 2.7 percent points to a still dominant 30.7 percent showing in the latest political party survey from MMI, carried out for NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting) and newspaper Dagbladet.
Labor allies in the likely 'red-green' alliance, the Socialist Left Party (SV) and the Center Party (Sp), ended up contributing the same: SV down 1.2 points to 13.1 and Sp up 1.2 to 7.9.
The red-green coalition would still have a parliamentary majority of 90 seats if this poll reflected an election.
The Conservative Party gained two percent points, up to 15.7 percent, but government partners the Christian Democrats fell 1.2 points to 7.7 percent and the Liberals remained steady at a woeful 3.3 percent.
The populist Progress Party gained 2.2 percent points, up to 19.1 percent, keeping them the nation's second most popular political party.
SV leader Kristin Halvorsen was not worried by her party's slight decline in the latest poll - 13 percent would be a record result - but told newspaper Dagbladet that apathy among young voters was a major concern.
"If we do not get them to vote the non-socialists will win. This will be a close race, all the way to the voting booths," Halvorsen said.
For the record, Norway is not Sweden.
For the record, Norway is not a member of the European Union, dominated by old men in Paris, Brussels, and Berlin.
For the record, Norway is second only to the United States in per-capita spending on its armed forces and defense.
For the record, Norway has very restrictive immigration laws, and they appear to be enforced a great deal more vigorously than we enforce our own. The high birthrate of Moslems in Norway of course is a problem--for the future--but for now, Moslems in Norway are but a minuscule part of the population, as compared with Sweden and Denmark. There are probably more Vietnamese in Norway, than Moslems. (But again, that birthrate is worrisome.)
For the record, Norway has not spent a single cent of the billions acquired from North Sea petroleum revenues since the mid-1970s; all governments, right, center, and left have scrupulously banked that money for the future, when ostensibly the oil will evaporate (which will not be any time soon).
For the record, Norwegians support their generous welfare state through excessively high taxation--just about the highest taxes in the world--and because Norway steadfastly refuses to join the European Union, preferring national independence over joining the crowd, the economy of Norway is somewhat restricted (other than oil, of course), the European Union slapping all sorts of confiscatory tariffs on Norwegian goods.
For the record, Norway is not a "socialist" country--thus speaks our own CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), which classifies Norway instead as a "welfare capitalism" country.
Socialism implies governmental ownership (in the name of the "people") of most of manufacture and commerce, a situation that does not exist in Norway. Anyone in Norway can open any business or other enterprise, and do as he wishes--but of course he has to pay onerous taxes.
Actually, there is probably more "socialism" in Nebraska, where privately-owned electric companies are prohibited from establishing themselves here, for example, than in Norway.
Norway is a beautiful country and has even more beautiful women. :-)
Hey, some of us know this.
The Norwegian gub'mint gets huge revenues from North Sea oil - and, unlike the American politicians, they don't spend every cent. Instead they invest huge amuounts in stocks and bonds so that they countinue to generate income.
The US Navy contracted to buy Penguin anti-ship missiles for use on LAMPS III helicopters.
Norwegians ain't no slouches!
that's right Little Ray... Check out nammo.com for other norwegian products. Nammo also produces the 12.7 (.50) multi purpose ammunition which is used by the US forces.
NORWAY
Support to the operations in AFGHANISTAN and IRAQ
Norway has been supporting the operations in AFGHANISTAN and IRAQ in several ways since the tragic events on September 11, 2001.
Norwegian SOF, Mine Clearers, EOD-teams, C-130 for Tactical Airlift, MOVCON, F-16’s for Close Air Support, CIMIC-teams and a Surgical Unit have over the past years completed missions in and around AFGHANISTAN in either Operation Enduring Freedom or in ISAF. Since December 2003 NORWAY has deployed forces to AFGHANISTAN as a part of ISAF Security Forces in KABUL and recently to the British PRT in MEYMANEH.
In Iraq Norway has supported the reconstruction of the country with an Engineer Coy and Staff Officers in MND SE and MND CS.
In cooperation with our coalition partners Norway is continuously evaluating and subsequently adjusting the contribution according to the Coalitions needs, Norway ’s available resources and her Governments security interests.
Operations in AFGHANISTAN
For the moment Norway has a deployment of approximately 330 personnel mainly as a part of ISAF dispersed on:
NCC with Staff in KABUL
Commander of Battle Group 3 with additional Staff officers in KABUL
One Mechanized Coy in Battle Group 3 in KABUL
Personnel in the British lead Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) at MEYMANEH
A number of Staff Officers in Brigade HQ in KABUL
A number of personnel in the Fire Squad at KABUL International Airport
Operations in IRAQ
Norway is supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom with a number of Staff Officers in MND SE and MND CS. In addition Norway takes part in the NATO training mission with a number of officers.
General information
Norway is establishing a Battalion sized Rapid Response Force for NATO Response Force 4 (NRF-4) from 01 January 2005.
Norway has approximately 240 personnel in different NATO and UN lead operations around the Globe in addition to the support to ISAF and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Norway continues her contingent of 3 officers in the Joint Coalition Center and 1 officer in the Combined Planning Group at US CENTCOM in TAMPA .
Norwegian Humanitarian Assistance To Iraq And Afghanistan
Iraq
Norway has contributed humanitarian assistance to Iraq over the last decade, as the humanitarian situation in the country has been severe for many years.
Over the last years, and including the current year, Norway ’s total humanitarian contribution has annually been NOK 30-40 million (approx. USD 210,000-280,000). However, in 2003, the Norwegian government disbursed – extraordinarily - NOK 200,7 million (USD 28.67 mill) in humanitarian assistance to Iraq , due to the war and the following acute humanitarian situation in the country.
Norwegian humanitarian assistance to Iraq has mainly been channelled through the UN system, the Red Cross system and Norwegian NGOs. In Iraq we have contributed to providing clean drinking water, rehabilitation of water plants, health care and humanitarian mine action. Furthermore, Norway supports rural rehabilitation and community development in Northern IRAQ .
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has received humanitarian assistance from Norway for more than 25 years. Until 1992-93 assistance was mainly given to the 5-6 million Afghan refugees in camps in PAKISTAN . After repatriation started in 1992, Norwegian contributions were aimed at repairing basic infrastructure, humanitarian mine clearance and health and nutrition projects. From 1999-2002 major contributions were given to drought-affected areas.
Channels for assistance to Afghanistan have been the UN system, the Red Cross/Red Crescent system as well as Norwegian and international NGOs. In 2001 NOK 310 mill (approx. USD 44 mill) were allotted to Afghanistan, NOK 220 mill (approx. USD 31 mill) in 2002, NOK 120 mill (approx. USD 17 mill.) in 2003 and a similar amount is expected in 2004.
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