NORWAY

Compiled from the October 2004 Background Note and supplemented with additional information from the State Department and the editors of this volume. See the introduction to this set for explanatory notes.

Official Name:
Kingdom of Norway

PROFILE

Geography

*Area: (including the island territories of Svalbard and Jan Mayen) 385,155 sq. km. (approx 150,000 sq. mi.); slightly larger than New Mexico.

*Cities: (2004) Capital—Oslo (pop. 521,886). Other cities—Bergen (237,430), Trondheim (154,351), Stavanger (112,405).

Terrain: Rugged with high plateaus, steep fjords, mountains, and fertile valleys.

Climate: Temperate along the coast, colder inland.

People

Nationality: Noun and adjective—Norwegian(s).

Population*: (2004 est.) 4,574,560.

Annual growth rate*: (2004) 0.41%.

Density: Approx. 15 per sq. km.

Ethnic groups: Norwegian (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Sami, a racial-cultural minority of 20,000; foreign nationals (315,147) from Nordic and other countries.

Religions: (2002) Evangelical Lutheran, 86%; other Christian, 4%; Muslim, 1.5%; other, none, and unknown, 8.5%.

Languages: Bokmaal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities, English is widely spoken.

Education: Years compulsory—10. Literacy—100%.

Health: Infant mortality rate (2004)—3.73/1,000. Life expectancy (2004 est.)—men 76.64 yrs; women 82.01 yrs.

Work force*: (2003, 2.33 million) Government, social, personal services—37.6%; wholesale and retail trade, hotels, restaurants—17.5%; manufacturing and mining—12.7%; transport and communications—7.4%; financing, insurance, real estate, business services—12%; agriculture, forestry, fishing—3.9%; construction—6.7%; oil extraction—1.4%.

*(Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Norway 2004).

Government

Type: Hereditary constitutional monarchy.

Independence: 1905.

Constitution: May 17, 1814.

Branches: Executive—king (chief of state), prime minister (head of government), Council of Ministers (cabinet). Legislative—modified unicameral parliament (Storting). Judicial—Supreme Court, appellate courts, city and county courts.

Political parties: Labor, Conservative, Center, Christian Democratic, Liberal, Socialist Left, Progress.

Suffrage: Universal over 18.

Administrative subdivisions: 19 fylker (counties), and Svalbard.

National holiday: May 17.

Economy

(Source: Central Bureau of Statistics Norway 2004).

GDP: (2003 est.) $171.6 billion.

Annual growth rate: (2003 est.) 0.3%.

Per capita GDP: (2003 est.) Purchasing power parity $37,700.

Natural resources: Oil, gas, fish, timber, hydroelectric power, mineral ores.

Arable land: 3%.

Agriculture: Products—dairy, livestock, grain (barley, oats, wheat), potatoes and other vegetables, fruits and berries, furs, wool.

Industry: Types—food processing, pulp and paper, ships, aluminum, ferroalloys, iron and steel, nickel, zinc, nitrogen, fertilizers, transport equipment, hydroelectric power, refinery products, petrochemicals, electronics.

Trade: (2003) Exports (f.o.b.)—$62.27 billion. Major markets: U.K., Germany, France, Netherlands, U.S. (2002, 8.6%), Sweden. Imports (f.o.b.)—$40.19 billion. Major suppliers: Sweden, Germany, Denmark, U.K., U.S. (2002, 6.2%), France, Netherlands.

GDP by activity: (2003) Agriculture, hunting, forestry, fishing, and fish farming—1.9%; Oil and gas extraction incl. services and mining and quarrying—12.3%; Manufacturing—18.2%; Electricity, gas, and water supply—2.0%; Construction—6.4%; Wholesale and retail trade, motor vehicle repair, hotels and restaurants—10.7%; Transport industries—9.7%; Post and telecommunications, financial intermediation, dwellings, business services—20.6%; Public administration and defense—4.8%; Education, health and social work, and other social and personal services—13.4%

PEOPLE

Ethnically, Norwegians are predominantly Germanic, although in the far north there are communities of Sami who came to the area more than 10,000 years ago, probably from central Asia. In recent years, Norway has become home to increasing numbers of immigrants, foreign workers, and asylum-seekers from various parts of the world. Immigrants now total over 300,000; some have obtained Norwegian citizenship.

Although the Evangelical Lutheran Church is the state church, Norway has complete religious freedom. Education is free through the university level and is compulsory from ages 6 to 16. At least 12 months of military service and training are required of every eligible male. Norway's health system includes free hospital care, physician's compensation, cash benefits during illness and pregnancy, and other medical and dental plans. There is a public pension system.

Norway is in the top rank of nations in the number of books printed per capita, even though Norwegian is one of the world's smallest language groups. Norway's most famous writer is the dramatist Henrik Ibsen. Artists Edvard Munch and Christian Krogh were Ibsen's contemporaries. Munch drew part of his inspiration from Europe and in turn exercised a strong influence on later European expressionists. Sculptor Gustav Vigeland has a permanent exhibition in the Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo. Musical development in Norway since Edvard Grieg has followed either native folk themes or, more recently, international trends.

HISTORY

The Viking period (9th to 11th centuries) was one of national unification and expansion. The Norwegian royal line died out in 1387, and the country entered a period of union with Denmark. By 1586, Norway had become part of the Danish Kingdom. In 1814, as a result of the Napoleonic wars, Norway was separated from Denmark and combined with Sweden. The union persisted until 1905, when Sweden recognized Norwegian independence.

The Norwegian Government offered the throne of Norway to Danish Prince Carl in 1905. After a plebiscite approving the establishment of a monarchy, the Parliament unanimously elected him king. He took the name of Haakon VII, after the kings of independent Norway. Haakon died in 1957 and was succeeded by his son, Olav V, who died in January 1991. Upon Olav's death, his son Harald was crowned as King Harald V.

Norway was a nonbelligerent during World War I, but as a result of the German invasion and occupation during World War II, Norwegians generally became skeptical of the concept of neutrality and turned instead to collective security. Norway was one of the signers of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and was a founding member of the United Nations. The first UN General Secretary, Trygve Lie, was a Norwegian. Under the terms of the will of Alfred Nobel, the Storting (Parliament) elects the five members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee who award the Nobel Peace Prize to champions of peace.

GOVERNMENT

The functions of the king are mainly ceremonial, but he has influence as the symbol of national unity. Although the 1814 constitution grants important executive powers to the king, these are almost always exercised by the Council of Ministers in the name of the king (King's Council). The Council of Ministers consists of a prime minister—chosen by the political parties represented in the Storting—and other ministers.

The 165 members of the Storting are elected from 19 fylker (counties) for 4-year terms according to a complicated system of proportional representation. After elections, the Storting divides into two chambers, the Odelsting and the Lagting, which meet separately or jointly depending on the legislative issue under consideration.

The special High Court of the Realm hears impeachment cases; the regular courts include the Supreme Court (17 permanent judges and a president), courts of appeal, city and county courts, the labor court, and conciliation councils. Judges attached to regular courts are appointed by the king in council after nomination by the Ministry of Justice.

Each fylke is headed by a governor appointed by the king in council, with one governor exercising authority in both Oslo and the adjacent county of Akershus.

POLITICAL CONDITIONS

Until the 1981 election, Norway had been governed by majority Labor Party governments since 1935, except for three periods (1963, 1965-71, and 1972-73). The Labor Party lost its majority in the Storting in the 1981 elections. Since that time, minority and coalition governments have been the rule.

From 1981 to 1997, governments alternated between Labor minority governments and Conservative-led governments. Labor leader Gro Harlem Brundtland served as Prime Minister from 1990 until October 1996 when she decided to step out of politics. Labor Party leader Thorbjorn

Jagland formed a new Labor government that stayed in office until October 1997. A three-party minority coalition government (Center, Christian Democratic, and Liberal parties) headed by Christian Democrat Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik moved into office when Jagland, after the September 1997 election, declared that his government would step down because the Labor Party failed to win at least 36.9% of the national vote, the percentage Labor had won in the 1993 election. That government fell in March 2000 over the issue of proposed gas-fired power plants, opposed by Bondevik due to their impact on climate change. The Labor Party's Jens Stoltenberg, a Brundtland protégé, took over in a minority Labor government but lost power in the September 2001 election when Labor posted its worse performance since World War I. Bondevik once again became Prime Minister, this time as head of a minority government with the Conservatives and Liberals in a coalition heavily dependent upon the right-populist Progress Party.

Principal Government Officials

Last Updated: 8/25/04

King: Harald V
Prime Minister: Bondevik , Kjell Magne
Min. of Children & Family Affairs: Davoy , Laila
Min. of Culture & Church Affairs: Haugland , Valgerd Svarstad
Min. of Defense: Krohn Devold , Kristin
Min. of Education & Research: Clemet , Kristin
Min. of the Environment: Hareide , Knut Arhild
Min. of Finance: Foss , Per-Kristian
Min. of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs: Ludvigsen , Svein
Min. of Food & Agriculture: Sponheim , Lars
Min. of Foreign Affairs: Petersen , Jan
Min. of Health and Social Care: Gabrielsen , Ansgar
Min. of International Development: Frafjord Johnson , Hilde
Min. of Justice & Police: Dorum , Odd Einar
Min. of Labor & Social Affairs: Hoybraten , Dagfinn
Min. of Local Govt. & Regional Development: Solberg , Erna
Min. of Modernization: Meyer , Morten Andreas
Min. of Petroleum/Energy: Widvey , Thorhild
Min. of Social Affairs: Hoybraten , Dagfinn
Min. of Trade & Industry: Brende , Borge
Min. of Transport & Communications: Skogsholm , Torild
Governor, Bank of Norway: Gjedrem , Svein
Ambassador to the US: Vollebaek , Knut
Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Lovald , Johan Ludvik

Norway maintains an embassy in the United States at 2720—34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-333-6000) and consulates in Houston, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco.

ECONOMY

Norway is one of the world's richest countries in per capita terms. It has an important stake in promoting a liberal environment for foreign trade. Its large shipping fleet is one of the most modern among maritime nations. Metals, pulp and paper products, chemicals, shipbuilding, and fishing are the most significant traditional industries.

Norway's emergence as a major oil and gas producer in the mid-1970s transformed the economy. Large sums of investment capital poured into the offshore oil sector, leading to greater increases in Norwegian production costs and wages than in the rest of western Europe up to the time of the global recovery of the mid-1980s. The influx of oil revenue also permitted Norway to expand an already extensive social welfare system. Norway has established a state Petroleum Fund that exceeded $119 billion as of April 2004. The fund primarily will be used to help finance government programs once oil and gas resources become depleted. Norway is currently enjoying large foreign trade surpluses thanks to high oil prices. Unemployment remains currently low (3%-4% range), and the prospects for economic growth are encouraging thanks to the government's stimulative fiscal policy and economic recovery in the United States and Europe.

Norway voted against joining the European Union (EU) in a 1994 referendum. With the exception of the agricultural and fisheries sectors, however, Norway enjoys free trade with the EU under the framework of the European Economic Area. This agreement aims to apply the four freedoms of the EU's internal market (goods, persons, services, and capital) to Norway. As a result, Norway normally adopts and implements most EU directives. Norwegian monetary policy is aimed at maintaining a stable exchange rate for the krone against European currencies, of which the euro is a key operating parameter. Norway is not a member of the EU's Economic and Monetary Union and does not have a fixed exchange rate. Its principal trading partners are in the EU; the United States ranks sixth.

Energy Resources

Offshore hydrocarbon deposits were discovered in the 1960s, and development began in the 1970s. The growth of the petroleum sector has contributed significantly to Norwegian economic vitality. Current petroleum production capacity is more than 3 million barrels per day. Production has increased rapidly during the past several years as new fields are opened. Total production in 2003 was about 263 million cubic meters of oil equivalents, over 63% of which was crude oil. This represents a slight decline in crude oil production over the past year, accompanied by sharp increases in gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. Hydropower provides nearly all of Norway's electricity, and all of the gas and most of the oil produced is exported. Production increased significantly in the 1990s as new fields come on stream.

Norway is the world's third-largest oil exporter and provides much of western Europe's crude oil and gas requirements. In 2003, Norwegian oil and gas exports accounted for 56% of total merchandise exports. In addition, offshore exploration and production have stimulated onshore economic activities. Foreign companies, including many American ones, participate actively in the petroleum sector.

FOREIGN RELATIONS

Norway supports international cooperation and the peaceful settlement of disputes, recognizing the need for maintaining a strong national defense through collective security. Accordingly, the cornerstones of Norwegian policy are active membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and support for the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Norway also pursues a policy of economic, social, and cultural cooperation with other Nordic countries—Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland—through the Nordic Council.

In addition to strengthening traditional ties with developed countries, Norway seeks to build friendly relations with developing countries and has undertaken humanitarian and development aid efforts with selected African and Asian nations. Norway also is dedicated to encouraging democracy, assisting refugees, and protecting human rights throughout the world.

U.S.-NORWAY RELATIONS

The United States and Norway enjoy a long tradition of friendly association. The relationship is strengthened by the millions of Norwegian-Americans in the United States and by about 10,000 U.S. citizens who reside in Norway. The two countries enjoy an active cultural exchange, both officially and privately.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials

OSLO (E) Address: Drammensveien 18, 0244 OSLO; APO/FPO: AmEmbassy Oslo, PSC 69 Box 1000, APO AE 09707; Phone: [47]2130-8550; Fax: +47-2243-0777; Workweek: 0800-1630; Website: www.usa.no

TRAVEL

Consular Information Sheet

September 17, 2004

Country Description: Norway is a highly developed stable democracy with a modern economy. The cost of living in Norway is high and tourist facilities are well developed and widely available. Tourism to Norway is increasing and outdoor activities are popular. English is a popular second language in Norway. Additional information about Norway is available at http://www.usa.no/.

Entry/Exit Requirements: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens may enter Norway for tourist or general business purposes without a visa for up to 90 days.

Since March 2001, Norwegian entry visas are governed by the rules of the Schengen Agreement. Under this agreement, a visa issued for admission to most European Union countries (including non-EU members Norway and Iceland) is also valid for admission to other member countries. EU members Ireland and the United Kingdom have opted not to participate in the Schengen arrangement at this time. Under Schengen visa procedures a tourist is only permitted to spend a total of three months in the "Schengen area" within any six-month period.

Tourists who enter Norway without a visa cannot usually change status in Norway in order to reside or work there. Travelers planning a long-term stay, marriage or employment in Norway should therefore seek the appropriate visa before departing the United States.

For information concerning entry requirements, travelers can contact the Royal Norwegian Embassy at 2720 34th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008-2714, Tel.: 1-202-333-6000, or the nearest Norwegian Consulate; and on the Internet at http://www.norway.org. Consulates are located in Houston, Minneapolis, New York City, and San Francisco. Information can also be obtained from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration at http://www.udi.no.

Travelers should also be aware that in an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points which often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

Dual Nationality: In addition to being subject to all Norwegian laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Norwegian citizens. For additional information, see the Consular Affairs home page on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov for our Dual Nationality information leaflet.

Safety and Security: Norway remains largely free of terrorist incidents. However, like other countries in the Schengen area, Norway's open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Crime Information: Norway has a relatively low crime rate. Most crimes involve the theft of personal property. Residential burglaries, auto theft, and vandalism to parked cars can also occur. Most high-end value vehicles, especially in Oslo, have visible alarm system indicators to discourage joy riders or thieves. Persons who appear affluent or disoriented may become targets of pickpockets and purse-snatchers, especially during the peak tourist seasons (May-September). Thieves frequently target tourists in hotels, particularly lobby/reception and restaurant areas. Often such thieves work in pairs, and use distraction as a method to steal purses or briefcases. While passports are frequently stolen in the course of these thefts money, credit cards and jewelry are the actual objects of interest. In some cases stolen passports are recovered. Violent crime, although rare, occurs and appears to be increasing. Some thieves or burglars may have weapons. The phone number for the police in Norway is 112.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad for ways to promote a troublefree journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are widely available and of high quality, but may be limited outside the larger urban areas. The remote and sparse populations in northern Norway, and the dependency on ferries to cross fjords of western Norway, may affect transportation and ready access to medical facilities. The U.S. Embassy in Oslo maintains a list of emergency clinics in major cities.

Medical Insurance: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page.

Other Health Information: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Norway is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Good
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Availability of roadside assistance: Fair

Public transportation in Norway is generally safe and the maintenance and condition of urban roads are generally good. Rural road conditions are fair, and the availability of roadside assistance is limited. The roadway system beyond Oslo's limits and other major cities tends to be simple twolane roads. In mountainous areas of Norway, the roads also tend to be narrow and winding and there are many tunnels. The northerly latitude can also cause road conditions to vary greatly depending on weather and time of year. Many mountain roads are closed due to snow from late fall to late spring. The use of winter tires is mandatory on all motor vehicles from November to April.

Norwegian law requires that drivers always use their vehicle headlights when driving. Norwegian law also requires drivers to yield to vehicles coming from the right. In some, but not all, instances major roads with "right of way" are marked. Seatbelts are mandatory for drivers and passengers.

Norway has some of the strictest laws in Europe concerning driving under the influence of alcohol and those laws proscribe heavy penalties for those convicted of even a low blood alcohol level. Frequent road checks with mandatory breathalyzer tests and the promise of stiff jail sentences encourage alcohol-free driving. The maximum legal blood alcohol content level for driving a car in Norway is 0.2 per cent.

Automatic cameras placed by the police along roadways help to maintain speed limits, which are often lower than in other European countries.

For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_roadsafety.html. For specific information concerning Norwegian driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Norwegian Tourist Board office located at P.O. Box 4649, Grand Central Station, New York, New York 10163-4649 (Tel.: 212-885-9700; fax–212/885-9710) or visit their website on the Internet at http://www.norway.org/travel.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Norway's Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1—in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Norway's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA's Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm.

Customs Regulations: Norway's customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Norway of such items as firearms, antiques, etc. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Norway in Washington or one of Norway's Consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found here.

Norway's customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and trade fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters located at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212) 354-4480, send an email to [email protected], or visit http://www.uscib.org for details.

Travelers with pets should note that Norway is a rabies–free country, and seek advance information about the strict quarantine requirements for all incoming pets.

Criminal Penalties: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Norway's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Norway are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

All controlled substances are prohibited in Norway. The possession of even small amounts of drugs (e.g. marijuana, hashish) can result in arrest in Norway. If drugs or controlled substances are discovered upon one's arrival in Norway, the result can be a charge of importation, a more serious crime than simple possession. Penalties usually include detention, a hefty fine and deportation, usually back to the United States.

Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, to engage in illicit sexual conduct in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18, whether or not the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien intended to engage in such illicit sexual conduct prior to going abroad. For purposes of the PROTECT Act, illicit sexual conduct includes any commercial sex act in a foreign country with a person under the age of 18. The law defines a commercial sex act as any sex act, on account of which anything of value is given to or received by a person under the age of 18.

Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act of 1998, it is a crime to use the mail or any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transmit information about a minor under the age of 16 for criminal sexual purposes that include, among other things, the production of child pornography. This same law makes it a crime to use any facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including the Internet, to transport obscene materials to minors under the age of 16.

Children's Issues: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/family/index.html, or telephone the Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

Registration/Embassy Location: Americans living in or visiting Norway are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Norway, Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Oslo near the Royal Palace at Drammensveien 18; tel. (47) 22-44-85-50, consular fax (47) 22-56-27-51. Information about consular services can be found in the Consular Section of the Embassy's home page at http://www.usa.no. Normal hours for public visitors are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, except for Norwegian and American holidays. Wednesdays are reserved for special appointments or emergencies.

International Parental Child Abduction

January 2005

The information below has been edited from the report of the State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs, Office of Overseas Citizens Services. For more information, please read the International Parental Child Abduction section of this book and review current reports online at travel.state.gov

Disclaimer: The information in this circular relating to the legal requirements of specific foreign countries is provided for general information only. Questions involving interpretation of specific foreign laws should be addressed to foreign legal counsel.

The Ministry of Justice and Police, the Department of Civil Affairs, has been designated as the Central Authority for Norway for the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Being an administrative authority, the Ministry itself has no jurisdiction to make a decision on whether the child should be returned or not. This jurisdiction belongs entirely to the courts.

Immediately upon receiving an application from the Central Authority of another contracting state, the Ministry will give the application a preliminary examination, to ensure that it is in conformity with the formal conditions laid down by the Convention, and that the documents required in Article 8 are enclosed. If that is not the case, the application will immediately by returned to the requesting state for completion, or the lacking information will be asked for more informally by telephone or telefax to the requesting state. If the documents are not in English or Norwegian, there may be a delay of some days while a translation is obtained.

When all formal requirements are met, the application will immediately be sent to the competent local court for decision. The Act of 8 July 1988, Section 18, paragraph 1, lays down that the enforcement provisions of the Children's Act of 8 April 1981 and the general provisions of the Enforcement of Claims Act of 26 June 1992, shall apply correspondingly to decisions on the return of children.

The courts may also adopt an interim decision for the period up to the final judgment in the case, and may even adopt an interim decision before proceedings are instituted. According to the Act of 8 July 1988, Section 18, paragraph 2, the judge may order that the Child Welfare Authorities shall take over custody of the child until the Hague application is finally decided.

According to the Act of 8 July 1988, Section 16, paragraph 1, the courts are to act quickly and without delay in dealing with applications for return of abducted children from another contracting state. If a court has not decided an application within six weeks of the application's filing, it shall report to the Central Authority of the requesting state the reasons for the delay—if the applicant or requesting state so demand.

NOTE: Norway has made a reservation according to Article 42 of the Convention, provided for in Article 26, third paragraph. Norway will therefore not be obliged to assume any costs referred to in Article 26 that result from the participation of legal counsel or advisers, or from court proceedings, except insofar as those costs may be covered by Norway's system of legal aid and advice. An application for legal aid can be forwarded through the Ministry to the competent authority (the County Governor). Please note that the authority will do a means test of the application, based on the applicant's gross, net and capital income.

Norway has also made a reservation to Article 24 of the Convention. The Ministry will read and answer correspondence only in English. Correspondence in other languages will have to be translated, which will substantially delay progress in this matter.

Appeals: A decision by the local court can be brought before the High Court (Appeals Division) by either party. A decision by the High Court (Appeals Division) can be brought before the Supreme Court, but only on the grounds that the law has been incorrectly applied or interpreted. In the case of an appeal, an enforceable decision cannot be given with six weeks (see Article 11, paragraph 2).

Central Authority for Norway: The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Police; Department of Civil Affairs; PO Box 8005 DEP.; N-0030 Oslo; NORWAY. Telephone: 011-47-22-245481; Telefax: 011-47-22-242722.