The events of 11 September 2001 placed the war on terror firmly on the international agenda. International terrorism is currently one of the international community’s most urgent challenges.
Everyone agrees that we must do what we can to combat and prevent terrorism. Norway firmly believes that a broad range of measures must be brought to bear against terrorism, including political, diplomatic, economic, financial and military measures. If the worst comes to the worst, we must even be prepared to use military force, as was done in Afghanistan against Al Qaida and the Taliban. But whatever we do, we must take care at all times that the measures to combat terrorism are targeted, appropriate, and within the bounds of international law. The fight against terrorism must not be used as an excuse to ignore human rights.
The UN must play a leading role in the global anti-terror effort. Norway was among the first to implement Security Council Resolution 1373 in its legislation. Under Norwegian law, financing terrorism is now a criminal act, and the Norwegian authorities are required by law to freeze any assets believed to be linked to terrorist activity. In addition to the UN, a number of regional organisations such as the EU, NATO and the OSCE also play a central role in fighting terror.
The fight against international terrorism will strongly influence NATO’s activities in the years ahead. The Norwegian Government actively supports the efforts to strengthen the Alliance’s capacity in this field. NATO will be taking a more active role in bringing stability to Afghanistan through its support for the UN-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF). Norway is also involved in NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour whose purpose is to secure the safety of commercial shipping traffic in the Mediterranean.
Norway is active in the military war against terror through its involvement in the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, aimed primarily at Al Qaida and the Taliban. Norway’s participation in Operation Enduring Freedom has included supplying F-16s and special operations forces. Norway also provides direct support for other measures in Afghanistan aimed at improving security and stability. This support is primarily channelled through development projects, Norway’s participation in ISAF, and projects conducted by other countries in Afghanistan.
Norway’s involvement in the fight against terrorism has also included initiatives to hold international conferences on this topic and in its funding of research in Norway and other countries.
For many years, Norway has been co-operating with Russia on the safe management of radioactive waste in the northern regions. This work has taken on new meaning since it became known that terrorist organisations have attempted to obtain radioactive material for use in terrorist operations. Many countries now give priority to nuclear safety co-operation with Russia as part of their contribution to the war on terror.
By the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs