It attracted attention when Rødt politician Synne Bjørbæk referred to NATO as a “murder gang”. Bjørbæk, who is a former deputy mayor of Bodø and a central board member of the party, is also a member of the Defense Commission. The background for the controversial statement is that both Finland and Sweden submitted their NATO applications. The Red Party is opposed to NATO and thinks Swedish and Finnish membership is a very bad idea. This week, Synne Bjørbæk wrote the following in a comment field on Facebook: – We do not want to recruit to the murder gang. FRP leader Sylvi Listhaug sits on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee in the Storting. She reacts strongly to the statement from the Red politician. – I think it is frightening that a person with these attitudes can get a place in the Defense Commission, which the governments have set down. The members here will assess what priorities Norway will make in defense and security policy in the future. The Government has asked the Commission to specifically consider seven main areas: What does the development in the security situation mean for our security and defense policy choices? How should the Armed Forces and the defense sector be further developed and organized? What is the connection between compound threats and other security policy and military strategic development features? How can the defense sector best contribute to the protection of Norway’s security in light of the fact that the challenge picture affects several areas of society and many sectors? What opportunities and challenges do technological developments represent for Norway’s security and for the development of the defense sector? How will climate and environmental systems affect the defense sector and the security policy situation in the years to come? What mechanisms, capabilities and roles must be prioritized in the defense sector in order to better understand, counteract and defend national security interests against a broader challenge? Source: regjeringen.no. On Tuesday, Bjørbæk said that the comment was ragged, but she emphasized that even though Rødt is against NATO, they are in favor of building a real and defensive territorial defense. – Let me state it, my comment does not deal with veterans or employees in the defense, which I have nothing but respect for. She believes it is both important and legitimate to discuss Norwegian foreign and defense policy. NRK has been in contact with Synne Bjørbæk after Listhaug’s proposal. She refers to the leadership of the party. The leader of the Red Party, Bjørnar Moxnes, believes that an honest debate about NATO is important for Norwegian defense and security policy. Photo: Cicilie S. Andersen / Cicilie S. Andersen Party leader Bjørnar Moxnes says in a comment to NRK that Sylvi Listhaug must tolerate that people disagree with her about NATO, and that NATO is being discussed. – Bjørbæk herself has said that her statement was ragged. I think very few have a sense of Listhaug as an opinion police. Moxnes emphasizes that the Defense Commission has been set up precisely to discuss defense and security policy. “NATO’s war of aggression has hit innocent, destabilized regions and sent millions of people into exile, and there must be room to say this in an honest debate on NATO and Norwegian security and defense policy,” says Moxnes. – Extreme attitudes Listhaug has asked a written question to the Minister of Defense, and asked him to assess the situation that has arisen. – I want him to answer whether it is compatible to refer to NATO as a murderous gang, at the same time as to give the government advice in defense and security policy. Listhaug will not answer directly whether Bjørbæk should be thrown out by the Defense Commission. – But with such a view, she should consider whether there is anything in that commission to do. Then I will leave it to the Minister to make his assessment. In any case, I think it is very strange that the government has found room for a person to exhibit this type of extreme attitude. – Shouldn’t NATO skeptics also be able to sit on such a commission? – It is completely legitimate to be against NATO, even though I can not understand how it is going in our days. Therefore, I want the commission that has now been set up, to consist of people who took as their starting point that NATO is the most important security guarantor Norway has. The Minister of Defense: – Dissociates himself Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) writes in an e-mail to NRK that he strongly dissociates himself from the mention of NATO as a «murder gang». – NATO is one of the most important organizations that has worked to preserve peace after World War II, and has since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and warfare in eastern Ukraine revitalized this work, says Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB He believes that Russia’s choice to go to war of aggression in Europe further underlines the importance of strong transatlantic cooperation in NATO. Gram explains that the purpose of establishing a broad-based defense commission is to obtain independent input and assessments of route choices and priorities that best contribute to protecting Norway’s security. As well as highlighting the consequences this has for the further development of the defense sector. – This work is important for the government as part of facilitating a broad debate on Norway’s security and defense policy challenges and opportunities. He does not answer Listhaug’s question whether it is compatible to refer to NATO as a “murder gang” and at the same time should give the government advice on defense and security. – When it comes to requirements for the commission participants, professional competence requirements are set for the experts, while the politicians in the commission are nominated by the political parties in the Storting, Gram writes. The leader of the commission: – Important to oppose It is former Minister of Justice Knut Storberget (Labor) who heads the commission. He emphasizes that it is the government that appoints members. Having said that, as leader, I want us to have a commission that also brings in votes. We need votes more than ever, he says to NRK. He understands that more people question Bjørbæk’s characteristics. He also does not agree with her. As you know, I disagree with those who are critical of NATO. I’m a big NATO supporter. But I also need to hear voices. Only in this way will the commission’s path choice and proposal be the best possible, says Storberget. He also reminds that one of the main tasks of Norway and the Armed Forces is to protect freedom of expression and democracy. – For me, it would be strange if we did not also ensure that people had full freedom to express themselves, both in the public sphere, but also in the commission.
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– I think it’s scary – NRK Nordland
