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Royals eat 'non-political' lunch at the White House
King Harald and Queen Sonja wound up an official visit to the US Monday with lunch at the White House. President George W Bush and Laura Bush were "nice" hosts and all four engaged in "lively" conversation, according to the king.
We felt very welcome," King Harald told reporters after the lunch. Asked what the king had said about Iraq, he replied:"I didn't say anything about Iraq, I'm not a politician."
President Bush, King Harald added, said that he thought the worst was over, now that the election had been held.
Norway's government and the vast majority of Norwegians firmly opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq, and the social-welfare politics of Norway are far removed from the brand championed by Bush. Nonetheless, King Harald has contended that friendship between the two countries is deeply rooted and remains strong.
Norway, a member of NATO; committed itself to send humanitarian troops to Iraq once the invasion was over. Asked whether he thought Norway was doing enough in Iraq at present, Bush responded: "Yeah."
King Harald and Queen Sonja have spent the past week in the US, first in New York and then in Houston before traveling on to Washington. They attended a concert at the Kennedy Center Monday night featuring the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra before their official visit drew to a close.
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