From: CKupchan@cfr.org
Date: Aug 27, 2005 1:19 AM
Subject: Re: Request for interview/comment by Dr. Charles A. Kupchan
To: vaa@venneravamerika.no


I am afraid that I do not follow closely Norwegian politics. However, at
this fragile time in transatlantic relations, it seems unwise for
responsible parties to talk about withdrawal from NATO and use inflammatory
language to refer to U.S. foreign policy. Reasoned criticism and
opposition to specific U.S. policies is to be expected -- that is what
democratic politics is all about. But inflammatory language goes beyond
reasoned criticism -- and risks doing serious damage to a transatlantic
relationship that is already quite strained.

I hope that is of help.

best

charles kupchan



"Fredrik Norman"

To ckupchan@cfr.org
08/26/2005 08:07 AM
Subject: Request for interview/comment by Dr. Charles A. Kupchan
Please respond to vaa@venneravamerika.no



Dear Dr. Kupchan,

As the president of the Norwegian Friends of America, I am writing to
request your comment on trans-atlantic implications of recent
developments in the ongoing Norwegian parliamentary election [1].

As you may know, the current governing center-right coalition of the
Conservative, Christian Democrat and Liberal parties are being
challenged by a "red-green" alliance of the Labor, Socialist Left and
Center parties. Opinion polls so far in the campaign are indicating that
the latter alliance will win a majority in the Storting and form a new
government [2].

In its political program document [3] the Socialist Left party, part of
the red-green alliance, considers that "The U.S. foreign policy is now
what poses the greatest threat against World peace." The party also
holds that it "favours the termination of Norway's NATO membership".

The Norwegian Friends of America are quite concerned about what signal
Norway would send the outside world in general, and the US in
particular, by including this party in a new government after election
day September 12th. Despite assurances from the Labor party that Labor
would dominate the area of foreign policy in a possible government, the
Socialist Left would be very much in position to influence our role in
the world and our relationship with the US.

For these reasons, I would very much appreciate if you would take the
time to e-mail us your comment on the quoted statements from the
Socialist Left party's program and what you think may be their possible
implications on trans-atlantic relations in NATO and bi-laterally
between Norway and the US, should the party become part of a new
Norwegian government.

I have tremendous respect for the Council on Foreign Relations's
expertice in this area.

I hope to hear from you soon and thank you very much in advance for your
time.

[1] http://odin.dep.no/krd/valg2005/english/bn.html
[2] http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1099284.ece
[3] http://www.sv.no/politikken/program/english/dbaFile89325.html

Yours cordially,

Fredrik K.R. Norman
President, the Norwegian Friends of America

Venner av Amerika
P.O. Box 2369 Solli
0254 Oslo
NORWAY

vaa@venneravamerika.no
http://www.venneravamerika.no