Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06OSLO86
2006-01-26 12:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEPUTY FM

Tags:  PREL PGOV EPET ENRG SENV NO 
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UNCLAS OSLO 000086 

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/NB DALLAND; EB/ESC/IEC GALLOGLY
DOE FOR U/S GARMAN; S-3 FOR GBISCONTI; PI FOR DCONOVER,
JBRODMAN, EROSSI; LEKIMOFF
ASUNCION FOR DCM JOHNSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EPET ENRG SENV NO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEPUTY FM
STUBHOLT CENTERS ON HIGH NORTH


Summary
-------

UNCLAS OSLO 000086

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EUR/NB DALLAND; EB/ESC/IEC GALLOGLY
DOE FOR U/S GARMAN; S-3 FOR GBISCONTI; PI FOR DCONOVER,
JBRODMAN, EROSSI; LEKIMOFF
ASUNCION FOR DCM JOHNSON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EPET ENRG SENV NO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY CALL ON DEPUTY FM
STUBHOLT CENTERS ON HIGH NORTH


Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) "High North" issues -- energy, the
environment, non-proliferation and cooperation with
Russia -- dominated the Ambassador's January 25
introductory call on Deputy Foreign Minister Liv Monica
Stubholt. Stubholt stressed that the new government's
High North policy was national, rather than regional,
in scope, and that its fundamental objectives were
international in nature. Norway, said Stubholt, was
cognizant that it could not achieve its goals in the
High North alone -- international dialogue and
cooperation were necessary to address such key High
North issues as bringing the region's significant
energy resources to market in an environmentally sound
manner and protecting its fish stocks. Russia's role
would be critical, particularly given the anticipated
development of its Barents Sea energy resources.
Stubholt emphasized that the timing was right for
discussing with Norway's international partners,
including the United States, how best to manage the
interrelated High North issues of energy development
and transport, the environment, climate change and non-
proliferation. The Ambassador, who will visit the High
North region next week, told Stubholt he looked forward
to continuing a productive bilateral High North
dialogue and hoped to find practical ways to contribute
to policy successes in the region that served both
nation's interests. End Summary.

National Policy, International Objectives
--------------


2. (SBU) Stubholt, one of two Deputy FMs who share the
High North portfolio, told the Ambassador that the new
government's ambition was to transform High North
policy from its former regional focus into a national
policy with "international objectives." The stronger
national emphasis on High North policy was intended to
benefit all of society, not just the northern
provinces. Recognizing that it could not achieve its
goals in the High North alone, Norway's international
objectives were to open a multilateral dialogue and

attain an international "meeting of the minds" on key
issues, e.g. protecting the environment, maintaining
fish stocks, and developing energy resources.
Pollutants and fish, noted Stubholt, do not respect
borders.

Importance of Regional and Human Dimensions
--------------


3. (SBU) Though Norway's High North policy was
international in scope, Stubholt emphasized its
important regional aspects. The new government was
giving greater attention to regional policy and
providing local officials and the public a stronger
voice. Local cooperation and support would be vital to
achieving Norway's aims in the High North.


4. (SBU) Stubholt also noted High North issues' human
dimensions. Birth rates were rising sharply in
Hammerfest, for example, because Statoil's
multibillion-dollar Snoehvit natural gas project there
gave local residents more confidence in their future.
Greater High North cooperation with Russia would
enhance people-to-people contacts in the region,
playing off the reservoir of goodwill toward Russia for
liberating the area in World War II.

Interdependence of High North Issues
--------------


5. (SBU) Stubholt stressed the interdependence of
various High North issues, particularly with respect to
Russia's role. Extracting the region's petroleum
resources, for example, raised serious health and


environmental concerns. It was important that Norway
work with Russia and other international partners to
deal with the impact of developing Russia's High North
petroleum resources. Alluding to concerns about
increasing Russian oil tanker traffic through the
Barents, Stubholt said the "transportation phase" of
energy development required greater attention. Key
question were what standards would govern petroleum
transport to help prevent environmental mishaps and who
would impose them, e.g. concerned governments,
customers, and/or "the market."


6. (SBU) Stubholt and the Ambassador also discussed the
interrelationship between High North non-proliferation
and environmental concerns, particularly how the debate
over climate change, a matter of obvious concern in the
Arctic, had opened the door to the possible
resurrection of nuclear power. Though building a
nuclear power plant in Norway was inconceivable,
Stubholt noted that neighboring Finland was
constructing a fifth nuclear power plant with security
concerns utmost in mind.

The Time to Discuss the Future is Now
--------------


7. (SBU) Stubholt stressed that the timing was right
for addressing High North issues. Given the long lead
times required for developing major energy projects
like Russia's Shtokman gas field, there was ample time
for deciding how best to bring High North resources to
markets in a safe and environmentally-friendly way.
Concerned governments could help shape the future but
the dialogue should begin now.


8. (SBU) The Ambassador agreed that energy would be the
most visible and sensitive High North issue. The issue
was multidimensional, ranging from global energy
security to the human level, given affordable energy's
importance to economic development and rising living
standards. The Ambassador said he looked forward to
continuing a productive bilateral dialogue on High
North issues and pledged to cooperate in a practical
way to facilitate policy successes that advanced our
mutual interests.

WHITNEY

UNCLASSIFIED4

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