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A Special International Report Prepared by
The Washington Times Advertising Department - Published on November 29, 1999
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Advertisers
(1) Ugland Nordic Shipping ASA and Nordic American Tanker Shipping Ltd.
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As usual, Clinton's appearance at least temporarily overshadowed the significance both of the formal proceedings and of the substantive Palestinian-Israeli talks that commenced in the event's aftermath. For example, one of the leading stories in the Norwegian press was that Clinton had forced King Harald V to wait while he stopped for some impromptu coffee and small-talk with the locals.
The attendees list even included Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who at the time of the ceremony was carrying out a bloody offensive against the Russian break-away republic of Chechnya. The grim-faced Putin, whose presence may have amounted to a public relations gambit, held a joint news conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik and brushed aside questions about whether innocent civilians were being victimized by a Russian bombing campaign against terrorists.
Oslo found itself overwhelmed by the onslaught of media and security that were hastily arranged to accommodate the impulsive American president. Laid-back Oslo residents awoke to the unaccustomed sight of cordoned-off streets, security forces bristling with automatic weapons, welded-down manhole covers and hovering helicopters. In the long run, the normally publicity-shy Norway may find it useful to have been exposed to the glare of worldwide attention and the opportunity to strut its stuff as a capital of diplomacy.
The high-profile event came in the wake of a planned visit by Bondevik to America in October. Bondevik became the first Norwegian government leader to call on an American president in recent years, when he journeyed to Washington, D.C. He may have gotten more than he bargained for when Clinton re-arranged his schedule to take in the Nov. 1-2 Rabin ceremonies.
In an interview with The Associated Press before his visit with Clinton, Bondevik said, "We cannot participate in the council of the EU, but there can be established other bodies, other forums for discussion between the EU countries and the six allied non-EU countries."
In addition to Norway, the proposed group would comprise Iceland, Poland, Turkey, Hungary and the Czech Republic. All are either NATO members, European Economic Area (EEA) members or potential applicant members of the EU.
The request comes in the context of the post-Kosovo war era in which the United States has become uneasy about conducting costly and dangerous military operations in Europe; at the same time many in Europe have expressed alarm that they took a back seat to America both in the Kosovo campaign and the earlier conflict in Bosnia.
The European Union would be the natural entity to relieve the United States of its apprehensive leadership role in a Europe that is still sorting out ways to exercise authority and diplomacy in the period following the Cold War. Yet key states including Norway remain outside the EU and others such as the United Kingdom continue to have an ambivalent relationship with the organization. At the same time, no European strategy independent of NATO has developed to address mutual security issues in an area that is seeking to define itself as a regional power.
Bondevik's trip to America marked what was, by many accounts, a long-overdue meeting, considering the crucial role Norway plays as NATO's northern flank. Until Poland's recent admission to NATO, Norway was the only European member that shared a land border with Russia. It is also deeply involved with the delicate matter of the environmental cleanup of obsolete nuclear facilities in northwestern Russia.
In his remarks at a royal palace luncheon on the first day of the Oslo mini-summit, King Harald alluded to the need for new security arrangements. "Europe is in a state of transition," he said. "NATO and the EU have embarked upon historic processes of enlargement. A new foundation for Europe's development is being laid now, as the year 2000 draws near...The United States and Norway have a vital interest in promoting stability and cooperation in Europe. We strongly support the development of a democratic, prosperous and stable Russia. In solving our common problems the international community must act together. Norway will make its contribution."
During the ceremony honoring Rabin the next day, Bondevik credited Clinton with advancing peace talks but also acknowledged other participants, including the EU. "The tireless efforts of President Clinton and the United States are crucial to the peace process," he s aid. "Egypt, Jordan and Morocco have made invaluable contributions. The European Union is playing an essential role, politically and economically. As a co-sponsor, the Russian Federation has made a major contribution...Norway is proud that Oslo has lent its name to the first historic agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. My government will continue to support the peace process in every way we can."
The Oslo meetings were designed to serve as the kickoff for the all-important final-status agreement between Palestinians and Israelis. Beginning immediately after the Rabin ceremonies the parties were to initiate talks that are expected to result in a framework agreement next February. The newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has set July 2000 as the target for a military pullout from south Lebanon and September as the deadline for completion of a full peace treaty with the Palestinians and Syria.
Oslo itself appears to have become a symbol of progress toward peace. It is, of course, the site where the Nobel Committee announces the winner of its annual Peace Prize. But increasingly its name has become associated with the dramatic and secret talks that led to the 1993 Rose Garden handshake between Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
The story of these negotiations includes tales of incognito Palestinian negotiators dressed as staff at Oslo's famous Grand Hotel. It also involved Norway, not only as the site of the talks; its late Foreign Minister Johan Jørgen Holst played a crucial part in actually bringing the parties together.
Oslo will never supplant the United Nations as the primary venue for international diplomacy. And yet, it is now recognized as a peace capital, especially in Middle East negotiations, where it is regarded as truly neutral ground.
It would be unlike Norwegians to erect a monument to themselves as peacemakers. But Oslo does have a simple plaque in its harbor declaring itself a "peace port." And plans are in the works to establish a peace park not far from City Hall.
In a world where cities do compete for international identity, Oslo could do worse than to promote itself as a community people look to when they want to talk about peace.
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(1) Clinton, Bondevik trade visits with focus on peace making |
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In reality, President Clinton's attendance at the November ceremonies commemorating the death in 1995 of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin probably only added a touch of luster and air time to a planned event. Yet it may have served to underline Norway's image as the place to come to make peace.
Bondevik's meeting with Clinton in Washington was far more than a routine courtesy call between friendly national leaders. The central topic of discussion was a request by Norway for the president to support a new organization that would promote coordination of European Union security information for non-member states that are aligned with the EU. Norway has been concerned that, since it depends on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for defense, it will be out of touch with EU security arrangements.