(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is not just a star in Norway. He has also really been noticed in the UN and international human rights circles after the UN Human Rights Conference, the so-called Durban II Conference.
"We are all fans of Norway's foreign minister now," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The conference has had to withstand a lot of criticism. In both Norwegian and international debate, fears were expressed that the racism conference would be an anti-freedom of speech conference. When Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad walked on the podium with hateful Israel criticism, delegates from a number of countries left the hall in protest. Støre, in turn, sat down and chose to reply to Ahmadinejad's speech from the pulpit. Colville spokesman does not hide the fact that Støre played a very central role in saving the conference and contributing to the agreement on the final document. Støre has been praised by everything from Jewish leaders to Canadian newspapers for not leaving the hall, but Colville goes even further.
- It was a very important speech at a very crucial time, and it changed the atmosphere.
Støre thus played an important role in saving the entire conference, says Colville, adding that the High Commissioner himself emphasized the importance of Støre's speech to the press after the conference.
- Did the right thing
Støre is perhaps Norway's most popular politician. Even FRP leader Siv Jensen has said that Støre could have been Foreign Minister in her government as well. Norway's Foreign Minister has also been noticed internationally. When NATO was to find a new secretary general earlier this year, Støre was launched as a hot candidate by several key international media. He should also have impressed European colleagues.
Støre denies that his appearance at the Durban Conference has further marked him as a candidate for future international top jobs, and emphasizes that he should continue in Norwegian politics.
- The UN says your speech was important in saving the racism conference. Did you play such an important role?
- It is up to others to consider. Norway was concerned that the negotiations would succeed and Norwegian negotiators contributed to the final document which was adopted. I wanted to attend the conference and did not want to leave the UN rostrum to those who spread the message of hatred. In retrospect, I have registered that many agreed with what I did, also in the countries that chose not to participate in the conference, says Støre to Ny Tid.
He thinks that Norway did was right and is therefore not surprised that many have agreed.
- Held the UN together
Human Rights Commissioner in the Council of Europe, Thomas Hammarberg, also points out Støre's positive contribution to the Racism Conference.
- Norway has a very good reputation internationally when it comes to human rights. Norway's positive contribution to the Durban II conference is the latest good example of that, says Hammarberg in a statement to Ny Tid.
Professor of international politics at the University of Oslo, Arild Underdal, is not surprised that the UN commends Støre.
- The UN is dependent on holding together and Støre's speech was an important contribution to increased polarization in the UN. In that sense, Støre's behavior was a helping hand to the UN, says Underdal.
The professor is convinced that Støre's behavior has further marked him internationally as a capable and independent foreign minister.
