Stoltenberg: No room for compromises in the face of terrorism
NATO chief and former Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg says society at large must be uncompromising about fundamental values in the face of terrorism ten years after July 22.
Stoltenberg, who was prime minister when the terrorist attack took place, attended a memorial service in Oslo Cathedral on Thursday.
There, he said that life consists of an endless series of choices. He noted that he is often in doubt about what he should choose and often ends up compromising both privately and in a work context.
“But sometimes the choice is clear. There is no room for doubt. The answer is no compromises,” he said.
“The terrorists can decide to take life, but we decide that they must not take our democracy, our free and open society,” Stoltenberg said.
The Hermansen vandalism
Stoltenberg also commented on the vandalization of Benjamin Hermansen’s memorial, which he described as an example of the existence of hatred.
“Ten years ago, we met hatred with love. But the hatred is still there. We saw this when the memorial for Benjamin Hermansen was desecrated in the most repugnant way,” the former PM and Labor leader noted in his speech in Oslo Cathedral.
He also mentioned the attack on the Al-Noor mosque in Bærum, and the fact that July 22 survivors are still threatened with death.
This week, a passer-by discovered that the memorial to Benjamin Hermansen at Holmlia in Oslo had been vandalized with the inscription “Breivik was right.” Local residents washed and sanded away the message swiftly.
The vandalism was condemned by a number of people across the political spectrum. So far, the police have no suspects.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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