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February 19, 2008

Norway: Islamic Radicalism a "Significant Challenge"

News from Reuters, International Herald Tribune and Aftenposten.

The Norwegian state police security agency PST (Politiets sikkerhets tjeneste) has claimed in a report on Tuesday that Muslim extremism will be a "significant challenge" for the nation in coming years. This is due in part to Norway's involvement in NATO operations in Afghanistan, where 500 soldiers are posted.

An English-language summary of last year's findings, produced by the PST, can be downloaded in a pdf document. The summary states that though there is no direct threat at present, growing radicalism among groups and individuals in the country could damage national interests and compromise security. The summary also mentioned that Norway was also "the subject of undesired intelligence activity carried out by several states."

The espionage has continued. On February 7 this month, PST head Jørn Holme said: "I'm not going to comment on individual countries, but there are more countries active [in espionage] in Norway than people would think." He did however mention Russian espionage activity being at an "all-time high". It was suggested by one researcher that Russia's activities are concerned with oil and gas reserves on the shared Norowegian/Russian border. In 2004, it was reported that industrial espionage was often carried out by diplomats who had immunity from prosecution. In 2004, even humanitarian groups were listed as targets of espionage.

The 2007 PST summary also stated: "As is the case in other European countries, Norwegian businesses and research institutions are a target for countries that would like to obtain products, technology and expertise for use in the development of nuclear weapons. Attempts have been made to make secret purchases from Norwegian companies for the benefit of the arms program of foreign countries that have or may develop nuclear weapons."

The announcement on Tuesday maintains that much Islamic extremist activity currently takes place in the form of supporting ventures for terrorism that takes place overseas. This happens "primarily in the form of money transfers to persons or groups overseas that are believed to be tied to extremist Islamic organizations."

PST stated: "Norway's contribution in Afghanistan is a key reason to why Norwegian interests are now viewed as a legitimate target by extreme Islamists... Increased radicalism in Norway makes the national terror picture more unpredictable."

On Monday, Norway's defense minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen suggested that her country's troops are likely to remain in Afghanistan until 2015. Norwegian troops cannot be withdrawn, she said, until the Afghan military "functions well".

On the night of January 15, 2008, Taliban attacked a luxury hotel in Kabul, where Jonas Gahr Stoere, Norway's foreign minister, was staying. The minister escaped injury in the gun and grenade attack by taking refuge with others in the basement, but seven people were killed.

On February 11 it was reported that the Norwegian embassy in Kabul had been evacuated the day before, following a terrorist threat. Embassy staff were told not to discuss details with the press, but it was later announced that reliable sources had warned of a Taliban bomb attack.

The issue of Norway's homegrown radicals was brought up earlier this month by PST chief Jørn Holme. He said that older extremists within Norway were attempting to persuade younger Muslims to become potential jihadists. He said: "We've had reports about older, manipulative Islamic extremists here in the country, who have tried to motivate youth to take part in jihad attacks abroad."

Holme's comments came at a time when it was revealed that Norway's foreign ministry had been sending financial aid to madrassa schools in northwest Pakistan. These schools offer little education other than the Koran, and are associated with radicalism. The International Crisis Group (ICG) stated that such schools pose a "considerable danger" to international security.

Norway has sent 6 million kroner ($1.12 million or £577,649) to 188 such schools. Despite criticism, the government minister responsible for foreign aid, Erik Solheim, said the project was to "promote dialogue".

Britain has also been funding such schools. In November 2006 it was announced that Gordon Brown as Chancellor had promised a package of £480 million ($910 million) to Pakistan over four years. Though some of this money was to assist in poverty alleviation and sanitation, much would be spent on madrassas.

Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at February 19, 2008 9:21 PM

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