President Clinton's Trip to Oslo, Norway October 31 – November 2, 1999

The President departs Washington, D.C on the evening of Sunday, October 31, and will arrive at the Oslo International Airport-Gardermoen on the morning of Monday, November 1. Norway is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time. Please note that as of 2:00am on October 31, you will need to turn your clocks back one hour.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1
OSLO, NORWAY

Upon his arrival, the President will be greeted at the airport by Prime Minister of Norway Kjell Magne Bondevik.

Oslo, Norway
City Profile

Norway occupies the western part of the Scandinavian peninsula and shares borders with Sweden, Finland and Russia. Its 1,700-mile coastline is fringed with islands and deeply indented by fjords. From the coast the land rises to plateaus reaching 8,000 feet in the Jotunheimen range, which includes Jostedalsbreen, the largest glacier field in Europe.

Oslo sits at the head of the Oslofjord, an inlet of the Skagerrak. It is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals, having been founded by Harald Hardrada in 1050. After being leveled by fire in 1624, the city was rebuilt in brick and stone by King Christian IV, who renamed it Christiania – a name that stuck until 1925 when it reverted back to Oslo. The city center is a pleasant jumble of old and new architecture with an abundance of museums, parks and monuments. Oslo was the site of the 1952 Olympic Winter Games.

From the airport, the President will travel to the Radisson Plaza Hotel. After several hours of down time, he will proceed to the Royal Palace.

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is situated on a hill at the end of Karl Johans Gate, Oslo's main thoroughfare. The Swedish-Norwegian King Carl Johan ordered the Palace to be built in 1822. It was designed by Norwegian architect H.D.F. Linstow and constructed between 1825 and 1848. At present, Norway's King, Harald V, lives at the Skaugum estate in Asker, just outside Oslo, but spends his working day at the Palace.

Arrival Ceremony
Royal Palace

Following the ceremonial welcome by King Harald and Queen Sonja on the Palace grounds, the President will have a private meeting with the King.

The President will then depart for the Prime Minister's Office.

Bilateral Meeting and Brief Statement with Prime Minister Bondevik
Prime Minister's Office

Following the statements, each leader will take one question from the press. The President then departs for the Royal Palace.

Official Luncheon Hosted by King Harald V
Banquet Room, Royal Palace

After the lunch, the President will return to the Radisson Plaza Hotel.

Photo Opportunity with Prime Minister Ehud Barak
Radisson Plaza Hotel

Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Barak
Radisson Plaza Hotel

Photo Opportunity with Chairman Yassar Arafat
Radisson Plaza Hotel

Bilateral Meeting with Chairman Arafat
Radisson Plaza Hotel

Following the meetings, the President will return to the Royal Palace for the Rabin Memorial Dinner.

Rabin Memorial Dinner
Royal Palace

King Harald will host a multi-national dinner for officials involved in the Middle East peace discussions. After dinner, the King will make brief remarks, followed by an address from Leah Rabin, the widow of Yitzak Rabin.

After the Memorial Dinner, the President will then return to the Radisson Plaza Hotel for the duration of the evening.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
OSLO, NORWAY

Rabin Commemoration Ceremony
Oslo City Hall

Oslo City Hall will be the site for events hosted by Norwegian Prime Minister Bondevik commemorating the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. Mrs. Leah Rabin, Prime Minister Barak, Chairman Arafat, and President Clinton will deliver speeches.

Built in the 1930s, Oslo City Hall is situated in the city center overlooking the bay of the Oslo Fjord. Artwork in the interior of the City Hall reflects that era and the belief that government ought to unify citizens from all social strata for the public good.

The Hall is a functioning government building. It was also the site where Prime Minister Rabin received the Nobel Peace Prize, together with Chairman Arafat and Israel's Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, in 1994. John Hume and David Trimble received the prize there last year.

Rabin Commemorative Luncheon
Banquet Room, City Hall

Photo Opportunity and Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
Library Room, City Hall

Following the luncheon, the President will depart for the Ambassador's Residence.

Trilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Barak and Chairman Arafat
Ambassador's Residence

The President will then leave for the U.S. Embassy. Immediately following the event, the President will depart for the airport. He will arrive in Washington, D.C. early on the morning of Wednesday, November 3.