Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre Disputes Former UN Ambassador Over IPI Funding
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has publicly rejected statements from Morten Wetland, who served as Norway’s UN ambassador from 2008 to 2012, regarding disputed funding decisions for the International Peace Institute (IPI). According to reporting by TV 2, the disagreement centers on two previously classified documents from 2009 and 2010 that formed the basis of Støre’s testimony during a parliamentary hearing concerning ties to Jeffrey Epstein associate Terje Rød-Larsen.
Classified Documents Reveal Conflicting Accounts on Expert Advice
The controversy emerged after TV 2 revealed that two confidential notes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underpinned Støre’s parliamentary testimony that the Norwegian UN delegation in New York formally advised continuing financial support for the IPI. A March 2010 memo, routed through ministry department head Geir O. Pedersen, cited input from a delegation member. However, Wetland told TV 2 that he never saw or heard of the document before the parliamentary hearings and does not endorse its contents.
Wetland maintained that as the head of the delegation, any active policy advice sent to the foreign ministry required his direct approval. Støre dismissed Wetland’s objections when speaking to reporters in Parliament, stating that he relied on the delegation’s formal submissions rather than subsequent disagreements from its former chief.
Funding Reductions and Differing Policy Recommendations
Under a 2007 framework agreement enacted while Støre served as foreign minister, Norwegian financial support to the IPI surged to 11.6 million kroner annually, representing a fourfold increase. Wetland stated that he considered this funding level disproportionately high compared to contributions from other nations, noting that Switzerland provided three million kroner annually. Wetland recalled contacting Pedersen in 2008 to advocate for significant cuts.
Despite Wetland’s stated position, a 2010 ministry memorandum recommended renewing the agreement with an annual allocation of 8 million kroner. Wetland confirmed that this specific figure did not originate from his own proposals. Støre defended the decision, asserting that the reduction to 8 million kroner aligned with the delegation’s official written reports advising a continuation of the partnership at a slightly adjusted financial level.
Parliamentary Scrutiny and Future Document Reviews
Members of the Storting’s control and constitutional committee argue that the conflicting accounts necessitate further investigation. Committee rapporteur Jonas Andersen Sayed (KrF) stated that the contradictory testimony requires the committee to gather additional documentation, noting that members have not yet reviewed all relevant written records. Committee chair Per-Willy Amundsen (Frp) described the situation as a matter of “word against word,” leaving unresolved questions regarding the original justification for the financial support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the peak annual funding amount provided to the International Peace Institute under the 2007 framework agreement?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided 11.6 million kroner annually under the 2007 framework agreement, which marked a fourfold increase from the prior year’s funding level.
Who led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs department that handled the disputed 2010 funding memorandum?
Geir O. Pedersen served as the head of the ministry’s section for peace and reconciliation, routing the March 2010 memorandum to then-Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
How much did Switzerland contribute annually to the International Peace Institute during the period in question?
Switzerland provided three million kroner annually to the IPI, a funding level that former UN Ambassador Morten Wetland unsuccessfully urged Norway to match.
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