Norway's mission in Afghanistan will continue despite officer's death

Norwegian Defense Minister Grete Faremo says "we will continue our work" in Afghanistan.

Norwegian Defense Minister Grete Faremo says Norway will continue its work in Afghanistan, despite the loss of Norwegian officer Siri Skare, who was killed in the attack on the UN office in Mazar-e-Sharif on Friday, April 1.

“I will underline that although we are in deep sorrow, we will continue our work as we have up to now,” Faremo says to NRK.

“We must be concerned about the security of our forces on missions abroad. We must do whatever we can to protect them, but we cannot give in to the use of violence,” says Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Støre underlines that UN’s efforts in Afghanistan are very necessary in assisting the Afghan people. He hopes the tragic attack will not make the world organization pull out.

“It is important that the international community now stand united with our Afghan partner against the destructive forces responsible for today’s attack,” the Norwegian foreign minister says.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (Flyktningehjelpen) closed its office in Mazar-i-Sharif in Northern Afghanistan, following the attack on the UN office in the town on Friday. Seven unarmed UN staff members were killed in the attack, including Skare.

The Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, Elisabeth Rasmusson, is concerned for the safety of their staff, and has therefore closed the office for the time being.

“We see that it is becoming more and more dangerous to work in Afghanistan, ” Rasmusson says.

Source: The Norway Post