Discussions in Norway

Press, 2 January 1981, Page 10

Discussions in Norway

From the Norwegian Information Service, Oslo

In a recent debate in the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) on foreign policy, Norway’s Minister of Commerce and Shipping,. Mr Reiulf Steen, characterised tlie increased economic intercourse between Norway and South Africa as a grave development. ' . Norwegian exports to South’ Africa have expanded considerably ■in recent times, and Norwegian ships now transport a substantial share of the oil which South Africa imports. Mr Steen stressed that this developmentjioes not conform with Government policy. _' ■ The Minister of For® 1 ?" Affairs, Mr Knut Frydenlund, said that r a unilateral Norwegian boycott- . w ° u,d have any. appreciable effect

— it would be more detrimental to Norwegian interests. He stated that this was the conclusion of a working group in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has been studying the problem. As an alternative the group recommends that attempts be made, to find other markets for Norwegian exports and imports of goods which form part of the trade with South Africa.

Thirty-two tankers of more than 25,000 tons,, owned, controlled or chartered,. by a total of 15 Norwegian shipping companies; put into South African ports, with oil cargoes during the period January, 1979, to March, 1980, according to figures from the Joint Council for South Africa, which recently

published a list prepared by the Dutch organisation, the Shipping Research Bureau. It was stressed, however, that these are unconfirmed reports. The president of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Mr Fridtjof Lorentzen, asserts that criticism on this issue should be levelled first and foremost at the countries selling the oil. He points, out that there is no international economic blockade of South Africa, neither are there laws or prohibitions against,trade with or transport to South Africa. The Norwegian Seamens’ Union has. requested the authorities to stop Norwegian transports to South Africa, but will not take the initiative to introduce a boycott.