First of all: Seaman’s priest Knut Lyngseth arrived in Kisangani today. He is going to stay with the boys until December 21st. This is a visit that means a lot to the boys. They have enjoyed support mail and treats, and we are very grateful that the seaman’s mission is dedicated to the boys and others all over the world. Joshua and Tjostolv send their thanks to all of you.
The Foreign Ministry is as usual pretty bad at informing us, next of kin, and as Mathilde Moland I didn’t know that the Norwegian authorities don’t think Joshua and Tjostolv will be home for Christmas this year either. This was posted on NRK. The deal and takeover of everything the widow and her family are going to have is done. The documents were scanned/faxed over to Kinshasa a couple of days ago. As far as we know the Justice Department is satisfied with the agreement. The case is now going to the Council of Ministers, and then to President Kabila. Even Desmond Tutu has placed a good word for the boys to the president, and considering the dept relief Congo has received from Norway, Great Britain and other countries we could hope for some benevolence from them now? There is an election in Congo in 2011. According to Joshua the opponent to sitting President Kabila arrived in Kinshasa this week. There can be a lot of uproar with the election. None of the parties are willing to show benevolence to two white prisoners if it can damage their case. But Congo has no money to arrange an election, and is apparently going to receive huge amounts of money to implement this election from Great Britain. Maybe from other countries as well? I’m going to write to the Foreign Ministry and ask them if Norwegian authorities are going to contribute to this election, and also what other pressure opportunities they possibly could have used. I’ve asked them this before but haven’t received an answer. Isn’t there a possibility for Norwegian authorities to say to Congolese authorities that “yes, we are willing to erase your dept, but first we want the boys home?” Sometimes I wonder if Norwegian authorities care anything about the two prisoners down there in Congo - who are supposedly spies for Norway. Therefore it’s very important that Norwegian and British authorities exert all the pressure they can on Congolese authorities, and that they do it before the year is out. There is a “time gap” now that’s important to use. The big question is: Does Norwegian authorities have the will and the power to act that as required?
Kari Hilde French, December 11th 2010
