GO NORWAY!

Thursday, January 30, 2003 4pm - Oslo, AFP

A Norwegian senator apologized after being caught in the act of playing a war game on his laptop computer during a parliamentary debate on Iraq. A cameraman from the Norwegian television network NRK filmed Senator Trond Helleland, dedicated to the game during a debate on Norway's possible involvement in any future war with Iraq.

In the E-zine "Nettavisen", Helleland explained in his defense that he originally turned the computer on to consult his calendar. But then, his fingers wandered a bit over the keys...

" I played the game "Metalion", which is entirely about robots that shoot unmanned drones. There is nothing bloody about it." According to Mr. Helleland, the game did nothing to distract him from the ongoing debate.