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20.
Major Norwegian concerns in their relations with the
Soviet Union are:
-
Security of their Northern Flank. The continuing Soviet
naval build-up and transfer of aircraft from Central Europe to Kola in the north att. regular criticism by the
Norwegians. The Russians claim these are not aimed
particularly at Norway but are designed to maintain general strategic balance in the light of CFE agreements. Soviet
proposals for a Nordic Nuclear Weapon Free Zone raised
little enthusiasm in Oslo. The Russians and the Norwegians agreed to disagree over the circumstances surrounding a
series of alleged Soviet incursions into southern Norway earlier
this summer.
Barents Sea territorial dispute. Informal talks at
official level have been held. whilst both sides are now
prepared to "draw lines on maps", each is looking for a more
radical approach from the other. The Norwegians are anxious that Mr Yeltsin should not have the opportunity to take a strong nationalist stance against any potential agreement. They also have to consider the likely reception-in-the
Storting.
The Baltics. Relations with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia
are lively. President Landsbergis, Mrs Prunshiene and all
three Baltic Foreign Ministers visited Norway over the summer. Tourism is popular and cultural contacts have grown considerably since SAS flights from Stockholm to Tah.
Talim
and Riýa restarted this year. Commercial activity also is
50P growing. Norway has made some ... available for
£. "humanitarian aid" for the three Baltic Republics. The
Norwegians are cautious however in their support for Baltic representation in multilateral forê - eg CSCE or the UN and
on the question of mutual representation although she has no objection to Baltic "information offices" on her territory.
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