Leader of the Norwegian Conservative Party, Ms. Erna Solberg, does not believe that a conflict like the one in Georgia could take place between Russian and Norway. She still believes that the South Ossetia events bear clear evidence of Russia’s great power aspirations.
-We can not defend ourselves alone, Norway needs a strong army, she says to newspaper Aftenposten.
Spitsbergen
Ms. Solberg illustrates her increasing fears with Russia’s reported violations of aircraft regulations at Spitsbergen and military training near the Norwegian border.
-It worries me that the Russians are showing disrespect for our right to govern the Spitsbergen archipelago, she says to the newspaper. She also accuses the Norwegian red-green government coalition of failing to nurse relations with the USA.
The Swedish debate
At the same time, a similar debate is unfolding in Sweden. An editorial in newspaper Dagens Nyheter today highlights the need for a revision of Swedish defence policies.
-For Sweden, the issue is now to adjust its defence policy to the hard realities, the editorial reads.
The newspaper writes that the South Ossetia crisis to certain extent resembles the Cold War.
-The perception that Sweden does not have external threats is an ill-informed stance, which although it lacks basis in reality has spread through the Swedish defence debate, the editors write.
The newspaper now calls on the Swedish government to stall cuts in the country’s defence in order to bolster national security.
