Quadriga

Days after the horrific massacre, Norway is still in deep shock. How could such a cold-blooded attack occur in a country as safe and peaceful as Norway? Anders Behring Breivik spent years meticulously planning his bombing of a government building and subsequent rampage through a youth camp outside the capital. The nondescript-looking 32 year old has been arrested and is being held in isolation while an investigation continues. At his first court appearance, he compounded his crimes by pleading "not guilty”. He says he was defending his country from Islam and Marxism, and wanted to do as much damage as possible to the social-democratic Labor party.

Police believe Breivik acted alone, despite his claims that he belongs to several far-right groups. Shortly before the attacks, he emailed a 1500-page document which he called a "European Declaration of Independence” to right-wing extremists in Europe and the USA. It was a message to those who, like him, reject the idea of a multicultural society. Breivik’s actions have raised fears that other people may be planning similar acts. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in Norway and elsewhere are on high alert.

Norwegian society has been deeply affected by the massacre. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg has spoken of a "national tragedy.” His answer to the killings is "more democracy, more humanity, but without naiveté.” Norwegians are regarded as among the most open and tolerant people in the world. They have few reasons to complain. Their country is prosperous and stable. But it seems this is not enough to guarantee either peace or security. As in Denmark and Finland, the influence of right-wing extremists in Norway is growing. Security is now a major issue, because increasing security means tighter control and runs counter to an open society.

What do you think about "Massacre in Norway - An Attack on Openness and Tolerance?"
Write to us at quadriga@dw-world.de

Our guests:

Asbjörn Svarstad - after studying history, Asbjörn Svarstad worked as a freelance journalist for various Norwegian newspapers. In 1987 he relocated to Copenhagen. These days he is the Berlin correspondent for the biggest Norwegian daily “Dagbladet”.

Peter Carstens - studied history and politics in Paris, Vienna and Berlin. He joined the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in 1994 and moved to the newspaper's Berlin editorial office in 2001. He covers issues of home policy, security and defence.

Alan Posener was born in London and grew up in Kuala Lumpur and Berlin (West). A teacher by training, he quit school to become a freelance author and journalist. At present, he is Chief Commentator with "Welt am Sonntag". Posener is the author of several critically acclaimed books, among them biographies of the American idols John F. Kennedy, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Elvis Presley