Norway politician calls Canada's handling of veteran's case 'disrespectful'

A senior member of the Norwegian foreign affairsparliamentary committee says Ottawa's refusal to admit a 94-year-old
to a veteran's hospital in Halifax is disrespectful to the sailorswho fought for the allies in the Second World War.

Christian Tybring-Gjedde, the defence spokesman for the ProgressParty, says he plans to bring the case of Petter Blindheim forwardto government ministers in the coalition government formed by theruling Conservatives and his political party.

Tybring-Gjedde says the media and political attention devoted tothe Blindheim case has been light so far in Norway, but he expectsthat may change if the decorated veteran of Norway's navy andmerchant marine doesn't receive a spot at the hospital.

Rejected from Camp Hill

Blindheim was initially rejected for placement at the Camp HillVeterans Memorial hospital on the basis that Norway had
"surrendered" and members of the Royal Norwegian Navy whocontinued to fight weren't considered allied veterans.

Ottawa recanted that position, but then rejected Blindheimwhohas been falling and has a broken armbecause it said he could besent to a provincial facility where Ottawa will still pay his dailycosts.

A spokeswoman for the federal minister of Veterans Affairs saysthat while Ottawa fully funds the care needs of any veteran,including Norwegians, it isn't always possible to do so in thefacility of the veteran's choosing.

Call to cut the red tape

The family has said there is a lengthy waiting list forprovincial homes, and adds that Blindheim would prefer to be with
other veterans at the Halifax hospitalwhich receives a higherdaily subsidy that the average provincial nursing home.

Tybring-Gjedde says he's calling on Canadian officials to cutthrough "all the red tape, immediately reverse the decision andtreat Mr. Blindheim with the respect he deserves."