Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik wants to prevent
increased conflicts between religious factions because of the war in Iraq.
He has therefore invited 15 representatives for various faiths and convictions
to his office on Monday afternoon, together with several of his ministers.
-Now that the war has started, I wish to open a discussion of how we may
prevent the language of war and hate from shaping our lives in this country at
this serious time, the Prime Minister writes in his letter of invitation.
Bondevik is particularly concerned that our attitudes towards the participants
in the Iraq and Middle East conflicts should not be transferred to those living
in Norway with the same religious, cultural or political background as the
various factions in the conflicts.
-Regardless of whether we are Christians, Jews, Muslims or people of other
faiths or convictions, we all have a responsibility that we do not form or
strengthen the enemy image.
-The Middle East or Iraq conflicts are not conflicts of religion or culture.
There are Christians on both sides of these conflicts, in the same way that
Jews, Muslims and people of other convictions are found on both sides, Bondevik
writes in his letter.