NORWAY'S FM PRAISES NEW NATO, STRESSES RELATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000206 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2018 TAGS: NATO PREL NO SUBJECT: NORWAY'S FM PRAISES NEW NATO, STRESSES RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C) Summary. In a gesture indicating the importance Norway places on the Bucharest summit, FM Stoere authored a lengthy article in Norway,s leading newspaper calling the new NATO an opportunity and challenge for Norway. Stoere notes that NATO gives Norway security and is the anchor of Norwegian security policy. NATO's identity has changed with the addition of new members, he adds, which gives Norway an important role in bridging the gap between newer members more skeptical of Russia and older members which emphasize reaching out to Russia. Stoere usefully provides public support for the new NATO, including continued enlargement and addressing new threats. He pushes for close ties with Russia while dismissing spheres of influence, an important caveat to Norway's "all carrots" Russia policy. It also highlights the grand role Stoere sees for Norway, and himself. End Summary. Implications of NATO's Eastern Shift -------------- ¶2. (U) Stoere welcomed the addition of Albania and Croatia (and Macedonia after the name issue is resolved) to NATO and said that it is a question of when, not if Ukraine and Georgia join NATO. Stoere stated that these new members, along with earlier additions, have moved the center of NATO east, changing NATO's identity, although not affecting the principle of collective security. The new members' history with Russia has shaped their security policy goals, with securing their independence and freedom from continuing Russian dominance their highest goal. These new countries look to NATO and the EU as the means by which they will achieve their goal of security and freedom. 3.(U) This shift in identity puts relations with Russia at the center of NATO's agenda, demonstrated by the discussions over missile defense and Ukrainian and Georgian membership. Stoere claims that the newer members were in favor of Ukrainian and Georgian membership in order to clearly limit Russian dominance and to better secure their own independence from Russia. Stoere also claims the newer members of NATO supported U.S. missile defense plans, not necessarily because they supported the idea, but because they want the U.S. present in their nations. Norway Showing How to Interact with Russia -------------- -- ¶4. (C) In this new NATO Stoere sees Norway (and by definition himself) playing a leading role, largely due to the gradual realization in the alliance that many of the challenges of the future require close cooperation with Russia. Norway views Russia not as part of the problem, but as part of solutions for today's challenges. Citing stable cooperation with Russia, Stoere sees Norway playing an important role in helping the NATO-Russia relationship by including Russia in discussions over future challenges. NATO helps in Normalizing Relations with Russia -------------- --- 5.(U) Stoere states that Russia should not have a veto over NATO's decisions and rejects attempts by any country to impose an exclusive right to influence any other country by right of geographic position or political or military power. At the same time he says that he understands Russia's objections to NATO enlargement and that the alliance needs to work to normalize the relationship with Russia. Stoere points to NATO membership as the reason that central and east European members are moving toward a "normal" relationship with Russia today. He concludes by stating that Norway will play an important role in helping the alliance build a relationship with Russia which fits today's world. Comment: Balancing NATO and Russia -------------- 6.(C) Comment: Stoere's positive public comments on NATO are welcome and something the Embassy has encouraged. This answers critics of NATO membership and it activities within the GON and educates the public on why NATO still matters. His clarity on NATO's continued relevance in Europe is coupled with its role beyond, such as in Afghanistan. Stoere's comments on Russia are consistent with the GON's forgiving approach toward Russia, which sometimes has crossed over to parroting Russia's line, such as on missile defense. Here, however, for the first time Stoere publically spells out limits to Norway's "all carrots" Russia policy; no sphere of influence or veto over NATO's decisions. Finally, the article highlights the grand role that Stoere sees for Norway and himself in the international arena as a figure instrumental in bridging divides. End Comment. WHITNEY