[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TRIBUTE TO NORWAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and pay tribute 
to Norway for its numerous contributions to and dedicated support of 
the international affairs which have become significant factors in the 
development of a sound Balkan market economy and a strong foundation 
for democracy. In particular, I would like to specifically highlight 
Norway's exemplary commitment to recent international peacekeeping 
operations, military volunteer support and participation in various 
multilateral economic and humanitarian programs.
  Since 1947, Norway has taken part in nearly 30 peacekeeping 
operations involving more than 55,000 military volunteers. With a total 
population of about 4.5 million, this is a significant contribution 
which greatly exceeds larger NATO ally countries. These Noregian 
military volunteers have been stationed in the Balkans, the Middle 
East, Kashmir, Korea, the Congo, Guatemala, Angola, El Salvador, 
Somalia and the former Yugoslavia to name a few.
  Since 1997, Norway has assisted with extremely delicate international 
situations by taking as active part in peace keeping operations such as 
supporting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the 
Stabilization Forces (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the United Nations 
Truce Supervision (UNTS) in East Solovenia, and the United Nations 
Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP).
  Norway is equally strong in the economic marketing and developing of 
democracy for three Baltic states; Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 
Through various multilateral cooperative programs and exercises, Norway 
has stimulated economic growth and collaboration between a number of 
western countries with the Baltic states. This unified effort has 
resulted in the establishment of a joint Baltic peace-keeping 
battalion, a joint Baltic Navy Squadron, and Baltic Security Assistance 
Group. Norway has also provided significant monetary aid to the Balkan 
area with 153 million dollars to aid Kosovars in Norway, 38 million 
dollars in military expenses and 29 million dollars to United Nations 
for humanitarian assistance.
  Mr. Speaker, Norway is indeed a ``keystone'' to the foundation of 
international democracy and within the Balkan area. Its continued 
support of peacekeeping operations, humanitarian support and economic 
growth remains vital to world stability. For outstanding support of 
democracy, I congratulate and pay tribute to our good friend and ally, 
Norway.

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