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.