Norway to consider sending observer force to the Sudan

The Norway Post

OSLO, Nov. 07, 2003 — Norway may be asked to supply troops to an international observer force in the Sudan.

There is now hope for a peaceful solution to the 20-year-old civil war in the African nation, and a peace treaty will hopefully be signed before the end of the year.

This would make it neccessary to deploy an international observer force in the Sudan.

Norway has been active in the peace process and the humanitarian aid work in the Sudan, and it would be impossible for Norway to avoid participation in such a force, says Thorbjoern Jagland, head of Parliament’s Foreign Relations Committee.

Norway today has troops in Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan. On Monday, the Government will present a report on the future priority for international engagements by Norwegian forces.