Norway Says Nei to Europe

SUDDENLY Europe's great expectations were diminished and the Common Market of ten nations that was to be created on Jan. 1 was cut to nine. By a decisive 53.9% to 46.1%, Norwegians in a special referendum last week rejected membership in the European Economic Community. The vote cast doubt on the outcome of Denmark's EEC referendum this week and raised the possibility of a "unified" Europe without Nordic participation.

Though feared by Oslo's Labor government and predicted by numerous opinion polls, the referendum's results shocked Common Market capitals. In Denmark, Premier Jens Otto Krag, who had warned his people that a negative Danish vote could mean devaluation, unemployment and a reduction of welfare services, was forced to suspend foreign exchange transactions. In London, antiMarket forces claimed that Norway's rejection would reduce Britain's influence on EEC decisions and demanded a referendum for Britons, even though Parliament has already assented to EEC entry. In Brussels, where news of the vote was received by worried Common Market officials, a feeling of despondent resignation laced the air. "As far as the community is concerned," sighed Common Market Commissioner Jean-Franc,ois Deniau, "it represents a setback on the way to European unity."

In part, the vote was a populist revolt against Norway's and Europe's Establishment; in part it reflected a provincial fear that joining the Market would cost Norway its placid way of life along with some of its political sovereignty. Farmers were upset because membership in the EEC would require the government to abandon the subsidies that keep Norway's agriculture alive, especially in its hostile northern reaches; fishermen feared competition in their inshore waters from strong British and West German fleets; and environmentalists were concerned that EEC development policies would destroy Norway's natural beauty. They were supported by a diffuse alliance of Maoist youth, Lutheran fundamentalists, mildly leftist university professors, and nationalists determined to retain the independence that Norway acquired from Sweden only 67 years ago.

Not since the spirited debate over Prohibition during World War I had Norwegians been so politically agitated.

Bonfires, a Viking signal that enemy invaders were sailing up the fjords, burned on many coastal hilltops; legions of doorbell ringers, street-corner campaigners and letter writers turned out in the cities and, as the election approached, torchlight parades and mass public debates filled Oslo's leafy city center.

Unfortunately, the debates often concerned little more than narrow ethnic prejudices. According to anti-Marketers, EEC membership would allow "dirty Italians" to steal Norwegian jobs and "rich Germans" to grab Norwegian land. As the election approached, windows were smashed and radio aerials ripped from cars bearing Ja til EF--yes to EEC--bumper stickers.

On the other side of the issue, businessmen, journalists, trade unionists, top civil servants and Norway's two major political parties pushed for membership. More than 23% of Norwegian trade is with Common Market countries, and outside the EEC Norway will find new tariff barriers for its exports of fish products, paper and metal alloys. In a belated attempt to curb anti-EEC momentum, Socialist Premier Trygve Bratelli, 62, who had risked his reputation and millions of government kroner on pro-EEC propaganda, threatened to resign if the EEC was spurned.

After the vote last week, Bratelli's threat became a reality. The diverse elements that combined to defeat EEC membership now face the difficult task of forming a caretaker government at a time when the country's economic future is uncertain. Norwegian kroner fell on foreign exchange markets, and some prices on the Oslo stock exchange registered their largest drop since World War II. Jubilant anti-Marketers danced in victory, but depressed industrialists predicted that it would take at least a year to negotiate a preferential tariff agreement with the EEC.

Last week's vote revived dreams of a neutral Nordic grouping of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. Sweden has traditionally provided the impetus, but its attempts to form a Nordic defense alliance foundered in 1949 when Norway joined NATO. Last year Soviet pressure on Finland scuttled Swedish-backed attempts to create Nor-dek, a Nordic economic union. For the near future, Nordek is probably dead, but after a discreet interval, Sweden may well propose more intensive economic cooperation among Nordic nations.

Despite Norway's decision, the magnetism exerted by the EEC remains strong. Some future Norwegian government may bid for membership again. Much depends on Denmark's referendum this week. Danish Premier Krag was prepared for any eventuality. On the day following the EEC vote, Krag must deliver the annual state-of-the-nation speech. This year Krag has prepared two speeches, one assuming Danish rejection of the EEC, the other in case his countrymen vote yes to Europe.

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