Debate on Norway's Role (War & Peace)

Today, the Norwegian Weekly Ny Tid carries an article on Norwegian forces and civilian casualties in Afghanistan. The PRIO director says that it seems likely that civilian lives have been lost in battles where Norwegian forces have been involved. Given what I learn from conversations with people who knows the ground realities, this should not be controversial. We may here be talking about people killed as armed forces confront the armed insurgents in populated areas, as air power is called in, or when special forces ‘take out’ individuals based on faulty information. The MoD’s position is that despite the best of efforts, there is no confirmed instance where civilians have been killed by Norwegian fire, or by air power called in by Norwegian personnel. The debate continues next week with a response from state secretary Espen Barth Eide.

As I have stated repeatedly in the media, Norway deserves credit for having played a constructive role on the issue of civilian casualties, pushing it on the NATO agenda. Now, the new US commander in Afghanistan promises to use air power much more carefully, and to withdraw from battle whenever civilian lives are at risk. We have had similiar signals before, to little effect, but what is new now is a willingness to accept that the risk to US (and international) forces, at least in the short run, will have to be higher. For Afghans, this is good news.

Tomorrow, Dagsavisen will carry my op. ed. on Norwegian peace policies, in its international affairs series preparing for this fall’s elections. Feedback will be welcome!