Time goes by in the Congo-case. There are many promises. The order has been given for a transfer. It was claimed that a lack of money for tickets was the reason for the delay. We don’t know if this is true. Minister Elida Endresen is apparently in Kinshasa this weekend to try and find out what’s happening. It seems incomprehensible.
The Foreign Minister has promised a transfer, and the Vice Foreign Minister and the Justice Minister as well. The case has been cleared with the Defense Minister and the Defense Chief. The President is positive to close this case. The Governor that protested has given up. Who can be holding back now? It has to be someone. It can’t just be inefficiency. Who has this much power, that they can delay a decision from the Government? Who knows? We know at least that you shouldn’t be surprised at anything in this case.
We feel that the Foreign Ministry is really up to speed now and hard at work to solve this case. We can’t give up. That will be the same as effectuating the death sentences. The wait is a big struggle for us in the families, but it has to be a lot worse for the two who’s sitting there in the heath and misery.
I just received some very nice support mail. I thank you for that, we appreciate all the support we get.
I think there is reason to be attentive to the increased danger of being Norwegian in corrupt countries than before. The world is aware that Norway is rich, and then believes every Norwegian is rich, and they will try something. Today a Norwegian and his Filipino girlfriend were arrested for a murder in Cebu in the Philippines. From what’s written they probably have nothing to do with it, but it’s dangerous. Filipino police are corrupt and have very little pay, and they see money in a case like this. A German was recently blackmailed in Manila from five police officers. They wanted him to buy each of them a laptop. If he didn’t they would say he was involved in a big drug bust. They were revealed and are now suspended and under indictment. Unfortunately there are few countries that are rich, most is poor. Police and military in poor countries have little pay but fancy uniforms. It’s easy to wish that the finances were more like the fancy uniforms and it’s tempting to set up a foreigner from a rich country. As obvious as the greed in the Congo case is probably rear, but there is every reason to be cautious in poor and corrupt countries.
We just hope the diplomats find out what the delay is, and that we will see a solution soon.
Knut Moland, February 13th 2011
