Letter to members of Norway's parliament

Jeff Mueller, the president of the Upper Midwest chapter of the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, sent this letter to members of Norway's parliament. The phrase "Se til Minnesota" that appears throughout the letter translates to "Look to Minnesota."

Dear Member of Parliament:

It came as a thief in the night. Yes, the news of Norway's recommendation to permanently close the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Minneapolis has shaken and shocked this community to its core. We are, after all, the children of Norway. All 850,000 of us. The blood of the normally stoic Norwegians has risen and is now boiling.

We know that change is a fact of life. However, it is our firm belief that this recommendation is solely based on political motivations rather than part of an overall strategic plan and vision of future relations between Norway and her best friend in the world today. The message we hear from the Foreign Ministry indicates that Norwegian consulates will be located where Norwegians are (Spain) and where they hope to develop new business relationships (China).

It is true that current relations between Washington and Oslo are cool, but this too shall pass. Please do not use this as a political way of retaliating against Washington. Minnesotans and Norwegians are similar in so many ways, especially in our common values relating to the environment, health care, energy conservation and world peace. When you have a solid and reliable ally, such as Minnesota, that ally is worth keeping. Norway has no other consulate as involved in its region, as is Minneapolis. There is an enormous reservoir of goodwill, community support and active involvement in the Minneapolis Consulate that can, and has been, mobilized in support of Norway.

Governments must use their resources wisely. If, as the Foreign Ministry proclaims, this is based on economics, what does Norway receive for their investment? Contrary to the Foreign Ministry announcing this as an economic move, the facts and figures indicate otherwise. This is nothing more that a misguided political move that could irreparably damage Norway's relationship. Let us se til Minnesota!

If Norway wants a consulate where Norwegians congregate, then se til Minnesota! If Norway wants consulates to be strategically placed in areas with greater opportunities to leverage future business growth, then se til Minnesota! Minnesota is America's leading region in the development of medical technology, bioscience initiatives and alternative energies.

Minnesota is preparing for a high-level trade mission to Norway next year. Medical technology companies from Norway, specifically from the Trondheim region, will be arriving in Minnesota next spring to explore collaborative opportunities. In November early stage and developing Norwegian companies will be in Minnesota to meet with our extensive venture capital community to engage in development talks. Minnesota has taken the lead in working with Technology Transfer Offices within the Norwegian University system, assisting in the process of turning research and development into commercialization opportunities. We are also a joint holder of the Norwegian Centennial Interdisciplinary Chair between the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and the University of Minnesota.

Minnesota and the Upper Midwest Region of the United States are home to the majority of Norwegian affiliated colleges and universities. We are working in earnest to increase the reciprocal student exchanges between Norway and our region.

While the United States and Norway are NATO allies, where does the Norwegian Home Guard come for training? Se til Minnesota! In February 2008 we will have the honor of hosting 125 Norwegian Home Guard soldiers for the 35th anniversary of this reciprocal exchange program; the longest such exchange program between allies in the world today. When Kongsberg Aerospace and Defense wins a large U.S. Military contract where do they go for strategic partners to help them fulfill that contract? Se til Minnesota!

When the Labor and Social Affairs Committee of Parliament wish to study legislation relating to equal access for the handicapped and the physically challenged, where do the go? Se til Minnesota! When your Minister of Agriculture wants to gain insights on agriculture advancements, where does he go? Se til Minnesota! When Norwegian artists in music, art and performance what to showcase their talent, where do they go? Se til Minnesota! Where do Norwegian films premier in the United States? Se til Minnesota! The Minneapolis Consulate has served Norway well and continues to as a convener, collaborator and developer in all areas of business, art, academia and culture.

It is obvious that the Minneapolis Consulate is a remarkable value for Norway. It should not be the case that if you open a new consulate in one region of the world, you have to close another somewhere else. Where is the logic in that?

To summarize, the status of this asset to Norway is enormous and growing. It has taken a long time to develop and only in recent years has this asset flowered to full bloom. Do not become shortsighted and waste this opportunity for continued, expansive and rewarding development opportunities

My prayer and hope is that wisdom will prevail and you will appreciate the value you have in maintaining the Minneapolis Consulate. It is said, that Minnesotans are more Norwegian than Norwegians. This must be true, because in Minnesota, we take His Majesty's motto to heart - "ALT FOR NORGE".

Please do not let us down. We need your voice, your support and most importantly your vote to defeat this proposal. Se til Minnesota!

Jeff Mueller

President

Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce

Upper Midwest Chapter