Norway will not protest at U.S. surveillance

While EU commissioner Viviane Reding calls U.S. surveillance scandal, the Norwegian government satisfied with the explanations they have received from the Americans.

Aftenposten wrote two weeks ago that the Foreign Ministry asked for a response from the United States for surveillance scandal that has rocked the world and made Edward Snowden alerts celebrity.

Now the U.S. has provided answers to Norway. It confirms Paul Lønseth, State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, which has taken over the case from UD.

- We have conducted a meeting with U.S. officials in Washington and has been given a thorough account of the matter. Based on our dialogue with the United States, they have not given us information that allows us to assert that the United States has done something reprehensible, says Lønseth Aftenposten.

He says that Americans have assured Norway that monitoring is done, is within the bounds of U.S. law, and that it only happens for reason to suspect the people who constitute a threat to the United States.

- It is also legal control, and it should not be a question of monitoring of random citizens, says Lønseth.

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Lønseth: - Do not doubt the USA

- Chairs you that the information you received is correct?

- We have no reason to believe that it is correct. We have a close relationship with the United States. We also have a standing offer from the United States where they can put together a team of experts to further show us what this is about. It may be that we will avail ourselves of it.

Lønseth also clarifies that the information that has emerged in connection with Edward Snow Its revelations are part of the "whole picture" considering.

- But from the information we have received, Norwegians have no reason to fear that they have been monitored, unless it is done because they pose a threat to American security. All countries have a legitimate reason to protect itself and its citizens. And there will always be a trade-off against the individual's privacy.

Is Edward Snowden a villain or a hero? That's the question the world will change.

PHOTO: AP / GUARDIAN

Paul Lønseth says that they will contact the British authorities, after disclosure to the Guardian that they are spying on Internet usage to other European citizens .

- We have not done it yet, but will take it up at a suitable opportunity.

European Commissioner: Scandal

The Norwegian government's "acquittal" stands in contrast to Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner, wrote in an article in the Swedish Aftonbladet on Tuesday.

There, she calls monitoring a scandal and type the following:

"Through the Prism to the U.S. security services monitor EU citizens in a manner likely to conflict with the United States Constitution on the American citizens."

She also believes that the EU needs stricter privacy rules than today.

Only SV react

Dagsavisen contacted Wednesday people from all parties in Parliament on surveillance scandal, but very few wanted to say something. SV is an exception.

- I think the Snowden did was right. Citizens can not protect itself against unlawful surveillance without any notifications about injustice, says Snorre Valen of the Socialist Left Party newspaper.

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Snow Its dramatic days in Hong Kong

In constant fear of being discovered, he moved from hiding place to hiding place, wearing a hat and sunglasses.

Aftenposten he reacts so when he hears what Paul Lønseth says:

- We have little reason to trust the Americans told us.We should monitor this closely politically. There is a huge scandal, and it is remarkable that this led to the urgent debate in the European Parliament, but not any particular political debate in Norway. It's probably because it's a big pain to take this up with the U.S.. But one can imagine the reactions if it was China rather than the U.S., says Valentine.

Have an understanding of the U.S.

When asked about Paul Lønseth understand that Americans now want to get extradited Edward Snowden, he replied:

- I understand that they will prosecute Snowden when they believe that he has violated U.S. laws.

Lønseth will not say anything about what will happen if Snowden should seek political asylum in Norway. But to Aftenposten from other sources, it is very unlikely that Norway would withstood the demands for extradition from the United States in this matter.

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Authorities in Hong Kong blames bureaucratic blistered by the United States as the reason why they arrested Edward Snowden.

In matters relating to security interests to do, the government has command authority.

Snorre Valen said that SV will step in to provide protection Snowden and not extradite him to the United States if he were to come to Norway.

- Edward Snowden is a warning and not a criminal. I can see good reasons to give him political asylum.