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Norway says it doesn't recognize
'terrorist organizations' list of EU
16.1.2006
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The
Norwegian government has announced that it does not
recognize the European Union list of terrorist
organizations, which also includes the Rebel
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), NTV television
reported yesterday.
“This does not mean that we do not cooperate with
the EU on the fight against terrorism, but accepting
the organizations on the list as terrorist
organizations will prevent Norway's efforts in
certain peace processes,” according to a statement
released by the Norwegian government as reported by
NTV.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement
issued earlier this month, “Following an overall
assessment, the government has decided that Norway
will no longer acknowledge any other list than that
issued by the United Nations.”
“The reason for this decision is that a continued
acknowledgement of the EU list could cause
difficulties for Norway in its role as neutral
facilitator in certain peace processes.
Norway's role could become difficult if one of the
parties involved was included on the EU list and
opportunities for contact were thus restricted,” the
statement added.
“Norway is making an important contribution to
international peace and security through its
involvement in peace processes. These efforts have
won the recognition of the international community,
including the EU and the United States,” Foreign
Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in the statement.
“The government wants to intensify these efforts and
we must therefore avoid a situation that makes it
more difficult for us to have contact with any of
the parties to a conflict.”
“The international legal obligations that form the
basis for Norway's efforts to combat international
terrorism will remain the same. There should be no
doubt that Norway clearly condemns all forms of
terrorism. The decision does not imply any other
change in our cooperation with the EU on measures
against terrorism.
There is a high degree of agreement and solidarity
between Norway and the EU countries. We are engaged
in the fight against international terrorism
together with the EU,” Stoere added.
The EU list is based on the Common Position that was
adopted for the first time in December 2001 in
connection with implementing U.N. Security Council
resolution 1373, which specifically calls for
measures to combat the financing of terrorism. The
Common Position has since been revised several
times, and new persons and groups have been added to
the list.
“As Norway is not a member of the EU, it does not
take part in the internal assessments that lead to
revisions of the EU list. The most recent revision
was made on Dec. 21, 2005,” the statement said.
www.tukishdaily.com
Kurdistan
Workers' Party, better known by its acronym PKK and considered a terror
organization by Turkey, the EU and the United
States, took up arms for self-rule in the southeast
in 1984.
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