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Fewer Norwegians Support Afghan Mission
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Backing for Norway’s military engagement in Afghanistan has dwindled, according to a poll by Norstat released by NRK. 42 per cent of respondents support Norway’s participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), down 15 points since January.
Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.
Close to 500 Norwegian soldiers are currently present in Afghanistan, working with ISAF. Last year alone, Norway pledged close to $91 million U.S. in aid for reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.
At least 889 coalition soldiers have died in Afghanistan—including three Norwegians—either in support of the United States-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of ISAF.
In March, the United Nations (UN) appointed Kai Eide, a Norwegian diplomat, to work with NATO to improve military and reconstruction efforts. On Jul. 15, Australian defence minister Joel Fitzgibbon said Eide is vital to the mission, declaring, "His work is critical across the nation in terms of marrying the military and non-military efforts and getting better coordination between the various aid agencies and non-government organizations."
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose Norway’s participation in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Afghanistan?
|
Jul. 2008 |
Jan. 2008 |
|
|
Support |
42% |
57% |
|
Oppose |
45% |
32% |
|
Not sure |
13% |
11% |
Source: Norstat / NRK
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 930 Norwegian adults, conducted from Jun. 24 to Jul. 2, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.