News and Analysis on Global Defense Defense, Technology, Warfare

Norway pulls out of NATO exercise


Published: Sept. 12, 2007 at 8:48 AM
OSLO, Norway, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- A financial crunch has led Norway's military to announce Wednesday it is withdrawing from two scheduled NATO military exercises this year.

Norse Armed Forces chief Sverre Diesen said the military is trying to pare costs by $130 million this year but major operations won't be affected, the Aftenposten newspaper reported from Oslo.

"Our large contributions, such as in Afghanistan, will continue," he said.

The decision affects NATO's "Operation Active Endeavor" along with "Cold Response," which isn't technically a NATO exercise but one in which many NATO members participate, the report said.

The military experienced a similar financial squeeze in 2004, the newspaper said.

The announcement came a week before the scheduled NATO conference convenes in Oslo.



© 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.

MIDEAST ISRAEL BUSH
U.S. President George W. Bush visits the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem on May 16, 2008. (UPI Photo/Amos Ben Gershom/Israeli Government Press Office)
U.S. President Bush visits Israel
Full Photo | Slideshow