From: <a href="http://www.aftenposten.no/spesial/wikileaksdokumenter/article3951106.ece">Aftenposten</a>

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12/28/2009 9:19
UNCLAS OSLO 000788 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, ABLD, AFIN, AMGT, NO
SUBJECT: OSLO REGIONAL GOVERNOR OFFERS SUPPORT FOR NEW AMERICAN EMBASSY PROJECT

1. (SBU)
Summary: Ambassador made his initial courtesy call on the
Governor of Oslo and suburban Akershus County, Hans Roesjorde.
The governor said his most difficult issue was dealing with
environmental questions that "strangle" the free use of land,
interfere with private enterprise, and infringe upon the
rights of property owners. He offered to make discreet
overtures to the Oslo Planning and Building Authority (OPBA)
if we thought he could be helpful. End Summary.

2. (U)
Ambassador met with the Governor of Oslo and suburban Akershus
County, Hans Roesjorde, for an initial courtesy call on
December 23. The governor explained that he was among the
holdouts from the 1990īs, at which time governors received
life-time appointments. Legislation that took effect in 2000
restricted subsequent appointments to a maximum of two
six-year terms. He is a member of the populist Progress Party
(FrP) that generally advocates restricted immigration, less
regulation, and a foreign policy that is friendly to the U.S.

3. (U)
Roesjorde explained that his responsibilities encompass
education, transportation, welfare, the environment, and event
planning for the King within Oslo and Akershus County. Despite
his own political leanings, his position was responsible to
the GON in ensuring regulations were followed, whether he
agreed with them or not. According to him, the governor did
not have much room to maneuver on most issues.

4. (SBU)
Roesjorde described the most difficult aspect of his job as
dealing with environmental issues. He opined that Norway had
gone too far in protecting species that were not endangered
and in interfering with private enterprise and the rights of
property owners. The result was a strangulation of the free
use of land.

5. (SBU)
When the governor asked how we were progressing in our efforts
toward building the new embassy, the Ambassador mentioned the
most recent meeting he, OBO, and our architects had with OPBA
earlier this month. We reached verbal agreement in most areas
but OPBA would not compromise on its requirement that we
modify the chancery design further to make it appear less
massive; nonetheless, we were hopeful for a successful
conclusion of our negotiations in January. Roesjorde noted
that the obstacles we faced were typical in Oslo, where
neighborhood associations could be quite vocal in expressing
their views and regulations were strict. He offered to
approach OPBA discreetly if we thought that would be helpful.
The Ambassador thanked him for his offer, but suggested he
hold off until we determined whether it was necessary.

6. (U)
In concluding, the governor invited the Ambassador to the next
meeting of the Carnegie Foundation, of which Roesjorde is CEO.
The Ambassador (or his representative) sits on the Carnegie
Foundation committee that considers recognition of heroic acts
carried out by civilians in Norway. Qualifying individuals
receive a Carnegie medal or diploma. As we ended the meeting,
the governor mentioned that he had relatives in Minnesota and
Wisconsin whom he visited earlier this year.

WHITE
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