Norway eyes reopening embassy in Iraq

In another indication that Iraq is finding its way out of the woods, a former Norwegian foreign ministry official is urging Norway to reopen its embassy in Iraq.

A former state secretary in the Foreign Ministry is criticizing what he calls deficient Norwegian foreign policy towards Iraq. He thinks Norway should reopen the embassy it closed in 2003, just before the US-led invasion of the country.

Vidar Helgesen, who served in the Foreign Ministry during the former center-right government, said Norway needs to get more active involving Iraq.

Helgesen claimed Norway can offer "a lot of experience, with political and administrative solutions for how Iraq's oil resources can be managed."

Norway bailed on us in Iraq in 2004 - just a year after the invasion - but is eager to get back in now that things have improved and they can make some money.

No diplomacy for oil!