OSLO REGIONAL GOVERNOR OFFERS SUPPORT FOR NEW AMERICAN

UNCLAS OSLO 000788

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ABLD AFIN AMGT NO
SUBJECT: OSLO REGIONAL GOVERNOR OFFERS SUPPORT FOR NEW AMERICAN
EMBASSY PROJECT


1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador made his initial courtesy call on the
Governor of Oslo and suburban Akershus County, Hans Roesjorde. The
governor said his most difficult issue was dealing with
environmental questions that "strangle" the free use of land,
interfere with private enterprise, and infringe upon the rights of
property owners. He offered to make discreet overtures to the Oslo
Planning and Building Authority (OPBA) if we thought he could be
helpful. End Summary.


2. (U) Ambassador met with the Governor of Oslo and suburban
Akershus County, Hans Roesjorde, for an initial courtesy call on
December 23. The governor explained that he was among the holdouts
from the 1990's, at which time governors received life-time
appointments. Legislation that took effect in 2000 restricted
subsequent appointments to a maximum of two six-year terms. He is a
member of the populist Progress Party (FrP) that generally advocates
restricted immigration, less regulation, and a foreign policy that
is friendly to the U.S.


3. (U) Roesjorde explained that his responsibilities encompass
education, transportation, welfare, the environment, and event
planning for the King within Oslo and Akershus County. Despite his
own political leanings, his position was responsible to the GON in
ensuring regulations were followed, whether he agreed with them or
not. According to him, the governor did not have much room to
maneuver on most issues.


4. (SBU) Roesjorde described the most difficult aspect of his job
as dealing with environmental issues. He opined that Norway had
gone too far in protecting species that were not endangered and in
interfering with private enterprise and the rights of property
owners. The result was a strangulation of the free use of land.


5. (SBU) When the governor asked how we were progressing in our
efforts toward building the new embassy, the Ambassador mentioned
the most recent meeting he, OBO, and our architects had with OPBA
earlier this month. We reached verbal agreement in most areas but
OPBA would not compromise on its requirement that we modify the
chancery design further to make it appear less massive; nonetheless,
we were hopeful for a successful conclusion of our negotiations in
January. Roesjorde noted that the obstacles we faced were typical
in Oslo, where neighborhood associations could be quite vocal in
expressing their views and regulations were strict. He offered to
approach OPBA discreetly if we thought that would be helpful. The
Ambassador thanked him for his offer, but suggested he hold off
until we determined whether it was necessary.


6. (U) In concluding, the governor invited the Ambassador to the
next meeting of the Carnegie Foundation, of which Roesjorde is CEO.
The Ambassador (or his representative) sits on the Carnegie
Foundation committee that considers recognition of heroic acts
carried out by civilians in Norway. Qualifying individuals receive
a Carnegie medal or diploma. As we ended the meeting, the governor
mentioned that he had relatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin whom he
visited earlier this year.

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