There have negative reactions from politicians in Iceland to the news that Icelandic young men have been recruited to serve in the Norwegian Army on overseas missions, NRK reports.
An Icelander in the Norwegian army has reportedly been visiting secondary schools in Iceland, encouraging them to enlist.
Head of the foreign relations committee of the Icelandic parliament (Alltinget), Arni Thor Sigurdsson (photo), reacts strongly to reports that representatives for the Norwegian Defence are coming to Iceland to recruit teenagers to the Norwegian army in return for free education.
- In my opinion it is most improper for the Norwegian Defence to come to Iceland in search for mercenaries to become "canonfodder" in Afghanistan, Sigurdsson says.
Professor Sigurður Líndal of the University of Iceland is of the opinion that the Norwegian Defence's recruiting of Icelandic soldiers is a clear violation of Icelandic law.
Head of the Norwegian Defence Engineering College, Roger Johnsen, confirms that the college has several applicants from Iceland every year, and that they are good students with high motivation.
(NRK)
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