When everything is interconnected
A good friend of mine with extensive experience in foreign service often uses the expression: ‘Everything is interconnected.’
Despite being a small country, Norway has always been a significant player in foreign policy. In Kosovo, we were heavily involved, both militarily and politically. The head of the Kosovo Verification Mission, KVM, was William Walker, known for his past in South America, where as ambassador to El Salvador, he worked closely with Oliver North and the CIA.
William Walker admitted the following in the Sunday Times: ‘Overnight, we increased the staff of KVM from a handful to 130 people. Could some of them have been CIA agents? Of course, it was possible. It’s the CIA’s job to be ‘present’ (The Sunday Times, March 12, 2000).
Could some of them have been CIA agents? Of course, it was possible. It’s the CIA’s job to be ‘present’
What were the funds used for?
The two British journalists, Tom Walker and Aidan Laverty, wrote in The Sunday Times on March 11, 2000: in the fall/winter of 98–99, the CIA and Western special forces began an intense buildup and military training of the KLA (UCK). Norway’s Foreign Minister during this period was Knut Vollebæk.
Through his chairmanship of the OSCE, which Norway took over in 1999, Vollebæk became the boss of William Walker and KVM. Subsequently, defense appropriations for the Kosovo engagement increased dramatically.
One question triggers another, and very few are answered. But it is reasonable to believe that Norway contributed in more ways than just providing military equipment in Kosovo.
A friendly visit from President Clinton
That Norway significantly bolstered its foreign policy portfolio following its efforts in Kosovo became evident as early as the fall of 1999 when President Clinton made a surprise state visit to Norway. His visit occurred shortly after Hashim Thaqi, the leader of the KLA guerrilla, had visited Bondevik. Coincidence? Perhaps. However, what remains a fact is that the Orderud family was killed and Norway spent 1.7 billion kroner in Kosovo.
And nobody knows where the money really went.
As my friend says, everything is interconnected.”