|
Norwegian Aid for Russian Air Pollution Clean-up (Aftenposten)
The people of Finnmark can finally look forward to the day when the emissions
of sulfur dioxide no longer blow in from Russia. Norway has decided to
pay out NOK 44 million of the NOK 270 million set aside in 1990 to reduce
emissions of sulfur dioxide from mining activity in Nikel, northeast Russia,
by 90 per cent. The NOK 270 million was granted by the Syse government
in 1990, but the money has not been touched since then because Norway
has been uncertain as to whether the Russians themselves would raise an
equal amount.
GasNegotiations with Poland
(Aftenposten)
Representatives for Statoil and the Polish gas monopoly POGC meet today
in an attempt to save Norwegian gas sales to Poland. At stake is a contract
worth NOK 5 billion per year. There are strong indications that there
will be a change of government in Poland in September. According to opposition
spokesman Wieslaw Kaczmarek, Poland does not need a gas agreement with
Norway. He argues that Norwegian gas is too expensive. Supplies of gas
to Poland could lead to the construction of a new pipeline from Kårstø
in Norway to Poland. Such a pipeline would open the way for gas deliveries
to southern Norway, Sweden and Denmark, which represent completely new
markets for Norwegian gas.
Liberals Want Center Alliance
Coalition (Nationen)
The Liberals approach the forthcoming general election with the aim of
winning six per cent of the vote and with two preferred government alternatives.
The Liberals' first choice is a new center alliance coalition with the
Christian Democrats and the Center Party, but they are willing to join
a coalition with the Conservatives if that is what is needed to oust the
Labor Party. The Liberal Party's annual conference adopted a number of
resolutions on moral issues which could put relations with the Christian
Democrats to the test. Among other things, the Liberals voted in favor
of disestablishing the Church of Norway. On the other hand they voted
in support of the additional cash benefit for the under threes, a key
issue for the Christian Democrats.
More Day Care Support from
Conservatives (Dagsavisen)
The Conservatives have joined the race to become the day care party, and
are calling for an immediate increase in day care funding. However, the
center alliance parties seem happy with the Government's promise to reduce
day care fees by around NOK 200 a month. Day care looks to be the election
campaign's hottest issue. The Labor Party would like to come out number
one, but now the Conservatives have joined the race to be the most generous
when it comes to funding nursery care.
May 15
The Daily Norwegian in Braille(fromnorway.net)
The Daily Norwegian is now available as a downloadable Braille or Dux
file for a trial period. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
Send to editor@fromnorway.net
|