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Author : Oyvind Nordsletten
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Norway to the Russian Federation,
2000-2008
IN THE NORWEGIAN CAPITAL'S largest ceme-
tery, there stands a monument to Soviet soldiers with
three words on the pedestal, "Norge takker dere" -
"Norway thanks you." These are simple words but
they express the deep feelings that the Norwegians
had after the Soviet army, in October 1944, drove the
invaders not only out of the Soviet Union's own Arc-
tic areas and Kola Peninsula but also out of Eastern
Finnmark, a Norwegian province that in those days
bordered the Soviet Union and today borders Russia.
Germany had attacked Norway on April 9, 1940. After battles with a superior and powerful
enemy, Norway was forced to surrender in June of that year. When Germany unleashed its war
against the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, our countries became allies in fighting the common
enemy.
Naturally, the Norwegian people and government were jubilant when the liberation of our lands
began. At that time, the government was in exile in London. King Haakon VII, in a radio address
on October 26, thanked the Soviet liberators on behalf of all Norwegians. His son, subsequently
King Olav V, described Soviet troops' relations with the local authorities and population as ex-
emplary.
When I had the privilege to represent my country as ambassador in Moscow, my Russian col-
leagues would often say that the border between Norway and Russia might be the most peaceful
of Russia's borders - there had never been a war between the two neighboring countries.
The wartime history that we share with the Soviet Union has many aspects to it.
The Norwegians will forever remember the liberation of Finnmark by the Soviet army. Our
country's leadership and King Harald V himself usually attend celebrations of anniversaries of
this event.
When I had the privilege to represent my country as ambassador in Moscow from 2000 to 2008,
my Russian colleagues would often say that the border between Norway and Russia might be
the most peaceful of Russia's borders - there had never been a war between the two neighboring
countries.
This is our common achievement. This frontier is now a bridge between our countries.
Not only will the present-day generation remember the heroic act accomplished by the Soviet
soldiers and the Soviet people 70 years ago. It will be an example for future generations as well.
"Norge Takker Dere" - "Norway Thanks You"