Norway PM calls for reflection
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Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (right) pay his respects near the coffin of Mona Abdninur, 18, during her funeral ceremony in Hoeybraeten, near Oslo, on Tuesday. Abdninur was one of the 77 people massacred in attacks of the anti-Muslim zealot Anders Behring Breivik on July 22. Stoyan Nenov / Reuters |
Oslo - Norway's Prime Minister on Monday called on his compatriots not to launch a "witch-hunt" as the country emerges from deadly attacks of July 22 by an anti-Muslim extremist.
At a ceremony honoring the victims, Jens Stoltenberg didn't single out anyone but seemed to be referring to sometimes-harsh discussions on immigration when he told Parliament that the July 22 attacks gave reason to reflect on "what we have thought, said and written".
"We all have something to learn from the tragedy," he said. "We can all have a need to say 'I was wrong,' and be respected for it."
That goes for politicians and newsroom editors, in everyday conversations and on the Internet, the prime minister said.
"Our promise is that we take with us the spirit of July 22 when political work resumes. We will behave with the same wisdom and respect as the Norwegian people," Stoltenberg said.
King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon stood in silence as the speaker read the names of the 77 victims.
MPs listened as violinist Arve Tellefsen played somber music by the Norwegian composer Ole Bull.
More funerals were held on Monday, including that of Gizem Dogan, a 17-year-old girl of Turkish origin.
AP-Reuters
(China Daily 08/03/2011 page12)
