NORWAY MOVES ITS EMBASSY FROM ABIDJAN TO ACCRA

HE Ms. Hege Hertzberg, The Ambassador of Norway to Ghana

NORWEGIAN EMBASSY in Abidjan, serving the West African Countries, has been relocated to Accra, Ghana, for strategic reasons, says one of the top mission officials in Abidjan.

The first secretary of the embassy, Mr. Asgeir Stendal, said the decision to relocate was taken in October 2010 by the Norwegian government. 

According to him, the decision is due to political and economic reasons, because of the country's relationship and interests in Ghana.

The decision to relocate the embassy to Ghana was more for political reasons, not because of the Ivorian political crisis. 

The decision had already been taken before the presidential election was held in Côte d'Ivoire last year, said Mr. Stendal.

"The decision was taken because of the Norwegian government's larger interest in Ghana, aiming to establish a diplomatic web with the other countries, including the Ivory Coast. 

We have already said goodbye to our friends in the Ivorian diplomatic circle, as the embassy started its operation in Accra on July 1. He added.

Mr. Stendal said the Norwegian government has approved four million euros to assist the Ivory Coast in reconstruction after the political crisis. 

It will be recalled that the British embassy in the Ivory Coast was also relocated to Accra after the first political crisis between 2002 and 2004.

THE ANATOMY OF BELGIUM'S POLITICAL CRISIS

Brussels, the capital city of Belgium



"The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly"—Albert Einstein




History has once again repeated itself in Belgium's political history. Belgium has plunged into a new political crisis as the premier-elect, Yves Leterme, hands over his resignation letter to King Albert II after his Flemish Liberal Allies (VLD) quit the five-party coalition earlier on Thursday. 


In a similar crisis, the country was left without a permanent government from July 2007 to March 2008, when Leterme came to power.

Yves Leterme had a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders to tackle when he took his seat barely five months ago. One of the important tasks was to find a lasting solution to a long-running dispute between the Flemish-speaking and their counterpart French-speaking Wallonia.

In his effort to withdraw political boundaries between French and Flemish districts, the Flemish Liberal Party stood against it and split with Leterme. This is really a bad time for such a thing to happen when Belgium takes the seat of the European Union on 1 July 2010.

Even though Belgium is a relatively small country with a population of about 11 million, the country has never enjoyed a smooth or stable government from time to time because of the different opinions of its nationals, especially the Flemish-speaking communities. 

It is a well-known fact that the Flemish authorities actively discriminate against the Wallonians. In a civilized country like Belgium, this shouldn't happen. Tensions between the French and the majority of Dutch-speaking communities have risen in recent years as parties advocate full autonomy for wealthier, flourishing Flanders. 

Over the dispute that led to the resignation of Leterme, the Flemish-run communities on the outskirts of the capital have been trying to dissuade French speakers from moving in, largely by demanding they speak Dutch. 

The question is, does every Dutch person speak French? A language must not be imposed on someone before he or she becomes a recognized citizen of a country.

The French-speaking Belgians' effort or right to live in Flemish districts is considered an "invasion." "We want to preserve the Flemish of this beautiful town," says the mayor of Gooik. "We don't want it to be overwhelmed by people who speak different languages," says Michael Doomst. 

What kind of discriminatory statements are these in a democratic society? These were the kind of statements often heard in the former apartheid South Africa; now they are resurfacing in Belgium.

Until a permanent lasting solution is found for this long-running feud between the Flemish and Wallonia, Belgium will never ever enjoy a smooth running of government. What has happened in the past is just the tip of the iceberg. 

More political chaos would come. There is no peace in any country that does not have respect for its fellow citizens. The Flemish must change their character and approach to certain issues. 

Splitting Belgium is not the answer but unity. Whether French or Flemish, both are hundred percent Belgians.