Norwegian charge d'affaires Aud Lise Norheim stressed the importance of dialogue in a peace process during a lecture at the American University in Beirut. "All parties must be included", Norheim said.
18/02/2008 :: As second in the series "The ambassador in the Academy", Norheim held a lecture at AUB yesterday. The topic was wether small countries like Norway can play a role in facilitating peace processes.
"Yes, I think a country like Norway can play an important role. A reason why we can do this is especially beacuse we are a small country, with no hidden agendas. We have good relations with the big powers, the UN and we are not a danger to anyone. We also have the financial means, " Norheim said, answering the title of the lecture.
Norheim especially emphasised the importance of dialogue in the peace process, including all parties, even those who are considered as terrorist groups.
"Lack of dialogue is one of the biggest weknesses in the international system. If everyone is not included in the dialogue, the negotiaters may end up with nothing, or extremely frustrated", Norheim said.
She made an example by Norway's participation during the apartheid era in South Africa. Norway supported the ANC and other liberation movements financially and politically. At the same time Norway upheld relations with the apartheid regime, but at low level. This was nescessary to be able to stay in the country, and support the liberation movements as much as they could.
After the lecture the audience could ask Norheim questions. One of them touched Norway's self interest in a peace process.
"Norway's self interest is global security, because of globalisation we are just as affected by for example terrorism as everyone else", Norheim answered.
The lecture marked the ending of a day at AUB, where Norheim was hosted by the Issam Fares Institute. First Norheim lunched with representatives from the Instutute, the president and teachers of the AUB, as well as students in the Advisory Council.
Afterwards she got to visit a class, where the students asked questions about Norway's politics. They also got to share their thoughts on Lebanon's difficult situation.
By the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Beirut