| IRNA -- Norway is expected to send a token force of between 100-200 men to join a "stabilization force" in Iraq despite Prime Minister Kjell Mange Bondevik's insistence on the need for UN authorization. A final decision is likely to be made at a cabinet meeting on Monday and the Storting (parliament) will also have to be consulted, according to NRK radio Saturday. Norway's participation follows the latest meeting between officials and military from several allied countries on Thursday, which discussed the composition of a "stabilization force". But, unlike Poland, which is being sought to command a security zone, the Norwegian troops are likely to come under a British-controlled contingent. Aftenposten daily suggested that the most likely task for Norway would be much like its participation in Kosovo on mine clearance, engineering and medical aid, rather than its role of using special troops in Afghanistan to hunt terrorists. The decision comes ahead of Bondevik's visit to Washington next week for talks with US President George W. Bush. He is also due to make a stopover in London en route to meet his UK counterpart, Tony Blair, and see French Prime Minister Jean Raffarin on his return. Like most European leaders, the Norwegian prime minister has had to tread a fine balance over the war against Iraq, with public opposition reaching 70 percent during the conflict according to opinion polls. During his visit to the US, UK and France, Bondevik is also expected to lobby support for the candidature of his defense minister, Kristin Krohn Devold, who is among the front-runners to replace Lord Robertson and become the first woman secretary general of NATO. |