Impromptu press encounter following meeting at Norwegian Parliament (unofficial transcript)

SG: We went over some of the crisis spots around the world: the Middle East, Iraq, the African issues, African crisis, African development, and the question of HIV/AIDS, which I know is of great importance here in Norway. I spoke to the Bishop of Oslo yesterday, who has just come back from Africa, and I understand there is going to be a fund-raising at the end of the month and I hope those with a capacity to give will give and give generously, because it is a real global problem. We also discussed U.N. reform, the financial situation of the U.N. and Norway's role in the Council and in peacekeeping operations, which I have already commented on.

Q: Do you think that Norwegians will do a great job in the United Nations and in politics in general.

SG: They are doing a great job already. I had several of them yesterday at the dinner. I listed a whole host of Norwegians working with us - Gro Harlem Brundtland, Terje Larsen, Jan Egeland, and in the past Kai Eide and Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg, who was not only a peacemaker in the Balkans but also High Commissioner for Refugees, so we have excellent Norwegians all over and I think we are going to continue working with them.

Q: Would you like us to do more?

SG: I think you have been exemplary; you've done quite a lot, but we have lots of problems around the world, and not only am I asking Norway to do more but I am asking everybody else to do more and perhaps try and do as much as you are doing.

Journalist: OK - thank you very much. *****