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Norwegian Intervention in Sri Lanka likely to be intensified

Janak Surendra, Sydney, Australia

Despite the obvious concern and resistance of the vast majority of Sri lankans within and outside Sri Lanka to the Norwegian meddling in Sri Lanka, an examination of the political and ideological background of the main players of the newly-elected Norwegian government suggests that they are likely to strengthen their involvement in Sri Lankan affairs.

There are a number of key factors that point to a renewed interest in Sri lanka by the Norwegians:

Hitherto unofficial "peace envoy" Erik Solheim, the principal "meddler" in Sri lanka is now likely to secure a ministerial or a diplomatic position, giving him more credibility and influence with the European, US and UN circles (who share the common agenda of dividing and ruling the developing world). He has already indicated that the Norwegian government-elect will offer, by mid-October, to keep up peace mediation efforts in Sri Lanka "in whatever manner the parties want".

The interesting family and political background of the new Prime Minister-elect, Jens Stoltenberg also indicates that he is likely to issue a carte blanche to Solheim to 'solve' our problems.

Stoltenberg hails from a family who has secured influence in Norwegian internal and foreign affairs, similar to the influence the Brahmins in ancient (some might say even in current) India secured through the role of 'Purohita' to kings. He and his father have had taken a strong interest in international affairs.

Stoltenberg's father Thorvald has served as defence and foreign minister of Norway, its representative at the UN and in Copenhagen, a senior UN representative in former Yugoslavia and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Jens’ mother Karin, has served as State Secretary for Industry and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Children and the Family. Her sister Marianne, Jens’ aunt, was married to a foreign minister. Jens Stoltenberg lives in Oslo with his wife Ingrid and their two children Aksel (Axel) and Catharina.

This family background would have imparted our future friend Jens (whether we want him to be our friend or not), a detailed knowledge about international affairs outside Europe and more importantly, how self-interested developed western countries could benefit from turmoil in these far-off lands.

His background seems to bear evidence to the fact that he is an extremely keen interventionist: The young Jens has been politically active since the age of 14; He has been arrested in neighbouring Russia for filming an atomic power station; He has found his way into a hospital in Yugoslavia under false identity. In October 1993, at the politically 'tender' age of 34, he secured the post of minister for Industry and Energy (a vital ministry in Norway due to the vast reserves of oil and natural gas they possess) and later the post of finance minister. He became the youngest prime minister in Norway’s history.

It was under his adminstration that Norway began to seek an international "peace maker" reputation, trying to solve crises and wars around the world. Now that he is back in power, he is likely to offer his friend and colleague Eric Solheim a free hand in dealing with us lot at almost exactly, the diagonally opposite end of the globe from Norway.

The main beneficiary of the Norwegian involvement, Prabakaran, has already sent an invitation to the new government in Norway to continue their role as the 'peace-maker'. He can now concentrate on sending the order for all the weapons he needs, and military advice too.

What is more intriguing however, is the failure of the Sri lankan government (and the political elite) to understand the role Solheim is playing on behalf of the international kabal who meddle in others' affairs, representing an invisible 'international community'.

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