Norwegian voting on the Middle East in the UN security council

The article focuses on the Norwegian policy in the Middle East resolutions in the Security Council, 2001-02. The article, which is based on the writer's master thesis at the University of Oslo, offers an empirical analysis of the Norwegian policy, based on three foreign policy traditions: o Norway wanted to strengthen the United Nations and its ability to act. o Norway wanted to maintain a close relationship to the USA, due to Norway's security policy. o Norway wanted to gain influence through promoting idealistic objectives. The article further explores the dilemma Norway faced in the Security Council: Should the Norwegian delegation promote idealistic values, or should it avoid clear-cut stances and rather work more carefully to promote consensus and the adoption of feasible resolutions? This article concludes that Norway chose a careful approach and worked for consensus in the Council. At the same time, Norway could maintain the trust of the Middle East parties, which is necessary for any involvement in future peace negotiations. Reprinted by permission of Norwegian Institute of International Affairs