Carsten Thomassen (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Carsten Thomassen was a respected Norwegian
journalist
, political commentator and war correspondent
for the Norwegian daily newspaper Dagbladet
. He had earlier covered the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
from Thailand
and Indonesia
. He was killed in the 2008 Kabul Serena Hotel attack
in Kabul
, Afghanistan
.
Jonas Gahr Støre
's visit to Kabul. Støre and his entourage were staying in the Serena Hotel, as were several foreign reporters and diplomat
s. While Thomassen was waiting to meet Støre in the lobby, at least two Talibani terrorists
forced their way into the Serena Hotel by killing the guards posted outside the main entrance using hand grenade
s. At least one of the terrorists was dressed in an Afghan police
uniform
, which may have delayed the reaction of the PST
bodyguard
s inside the hotel.
Thomassen was wounded in the arm, leg and stomach. Once the firing died down, he received first aid
from VG
photographer Harald Henden, Aftenposten
reporter Tor Arne Andreassen, and other unnamed reporters from Verdens Gang
and TV2. In the confusion
following the attack, he was not evacuated
until almost two hours after the attack. He went into shock in the ambulance
, and died shortly after while undergoing surgery
at a nearby field hospital
operated by Czech
ISAF
forces. Due to the nature of his injuries, it is doubtful that he would have survived even if he had been evacuated earlier.
At least six other people were killed in the attack, in addition to the terrorists themselves.
outside Kabul, and later back to Norway by military transport.
Many Norwegians, and particularly members of the press, reacted to the news of Thomassen's death with great sorrow. Dagbladet set up a web page to allow members of the public to express their condolences. As of 16 January 2008, more than 4,500 personal messages had been submitted.
Prime Minister
Jens Stoltenberg
knew Thomassen personally, and was informed of his death while on his way to a previously planned television debate on Norway's involvement in Afghanistan. He withdrew from the debate and immediately issued a statement, calling the terrorist act an attack not only against Norway but also against freedom of speech
. The next day, he devoted the first fifteen minutes of a previously planned lecture on environmental issues at Oslo Katedralskole
(of which both Thomassen and Stoltenberg were alumni, though ten years apart) to the death of his friend.
The International Press Institute
strongly condemned the attack. According to the IPI's Death Watch, Thomassen was the second journalist to be killed in action in 2008.
regarding the security arrangements for Støre's visit. One particularly controversial decision, which may have contributed to the Taliban's choice of target, was to publish Støre's itinerary, including the name of the hotel where he would be staying, in advance of the trip. Furthermore, while it is standard operating procedure for the Norwegian ISAF
forces to escort any Norwegian delegation
in Afghanistan with a protection detail including a medevac
APC
, the Foreign Ministry had declined such an escort. Subsequent to the attack, sources within the Norwegian armed forces
expressed dismay at the Norwegian Foreign Ministry's lack of proper contingency plan
s for medical evacuation.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, political commentator and war correspondent
War correspondent
A war correspondent is a journalist who covers stories firsthand from a war zone. In the 19th century they were also called Special Correspondents.-Methods:...
for the Norwegian daily newspaper Dagbladet
Dagbladet
Dagbladet is Norway's second largest tabloid newspaper, and the third largest newspaper overall with a circulation of 105,255 copies in 2009, 18,128 papers less than in 2008. The editor in chief is Lars Helle....
. He had earlier covered the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
from Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. He was killed in the 2008 Kabul Serena Hotel attack
2008 Kabul Serena Hotel attack
The 2008 Kabul Serena Hotel attack was an attack on the gym of the Kabul Serena Hotel, in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, January 14, 2008 for which the Taliban claimed responsibility....
in Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
Circumstances of his death
On 14 January 2008, Thomassen was covering Norwegian Foreign MinisterForeign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
Jonas Gahr Støre
Jonas Gahr Støre
Jonas Gahr Støre is the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, having been appointed to Jens Stoltenberg's second cabinet on 17 October 2005. He represents the Norwegian Labour Party.-Personal life:...
's visit to Kabul. Støre and his entourage were staying in the Serena Hotel, as were several foreign reporters and diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
s. While Thomassen was waiting to meet Støre in the lobby, at least two Talibani terrorists
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
forced their way into the Serena Hotel by killing the guards posted outside the main entrance using hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
s. At least one of the terrorists was dressed in an Afghan police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
uniform
Uniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
, which may have delayed the reaction of the PST
Politiets sikkerhetstjeneste
The Norwegian Police Security Service is the police security agency of Norway, somewhat comparable to the British MI5. The agency was previously known as POT , the name change was dictated by the Parliament of Norway on 2 June 2001.The service was established in 1936 or 1937...
bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
s inside the hotel.
Thomassen was wounded in the arm, leg and stomach. Once the firing died down, he received first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
from VG
VG
VG may refer to:* Vicar General, the principal deputy of a Christian bishop* Victoria Gardens , an open-air retail center in Rancho Cucamonga, California.* Nissan VG engine* VG Airlines * VG Cats, a webcomic...
photographer Harald Henden, Aftenposten
Aftenposten
Aftenposten is Norway's largest newspaper. It retook this position in 2010, taking it from the tabloid Verdens Gang which had been the largest newspaper for several decades. It is based in Oslo. The morning edition, which is distributed across all of Norway, had a circulation of 250,179 in 2007...
reporter Tor Arne Andreassen, and other unnamed reporters from Verdens Gang
Verdens Gang
Verdens Gang , generally known under the abbreviation VG, is a Norwegian tabloid newspaper...
and TV2. In the confusion
Fog of war
The fog of war is a term used to describe the uncertainty in situation awareness experienced by participants in military operations. The term seeks to capture the uncertainty regarding own capability, adversary capability, and adversary intent during an engagement, operation, or campaign...
following the attack, he was not evacuated
Emergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scale evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or...
until almost two hours after the attack. He went into shock in the ambulance
Ambulance
An ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
, and died shortly after while undergoing surgery
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
at a nearby field hospital
Field hospital
A field hospital is a large mobile medical unit that temporarily takes care of casualties on-site before they can be safely transported to more permanent hospital facilities...
operated by Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
ISAF
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
forces. Due to the nature of his injuries, it is doubtful that he would have survived even if he had been evacuated earlier.
At least six other people were killed in the attack, in addition to the terrorists themselves.
Reaction in Norway and abroad
In the wake of the attack, Støre's visit was cut short, and all remaining Norwegian reporters were evacuated, first to the Norwegian encampmentMilitary camp
A military camp or bivouac is a semi-permanent facility for the lodging of an army. Camps are erected when a military force travels away from a major installation or fort during training or operations, and often have the form of large campsites. In the Roman era the military camp had highly...
outside Kabul, and later back to Norway by military transport.
Many Norwegians, and particularly members of the press, reacted to the news of Thomassen's death with great sorrow. Dagbladet set up a web page to allow members of the public to express their condolences. As of 16 January 2008, more than 4,500 personal messages had been submitted.
Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Jens Stoltenberg
Jens Stoltenberg
is a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
knew Thomassen personally, and was informed of his death while on his way to a previously planned television debate on Norway's involvement in Afghanistan. He withdrew from the debate and immediately issued a statement, calling the terrorist act an attack not only against Norway but also against freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
. The next day, he devoted the first fifteen minutes of a previously planned lecture on environmental issues at Oslo Katedralskole
Oslo katedralskole
Schola Osloensis, known in Norwegian as Oslo katedralskole and more commonly as "Katta" is an upper secondary school located in Oslo, Norway. The school offers the college preparatory studiespesialisering of the Norwegian school system...
(of which both Thomassen and Stoltenberg were alumni, though ten years apart) to the death of his friend.
The International Press Institute
International Press Institute
International Press Institute is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120 countries....
strongly condemned the attack. According to the IPI's Death Watch, Thomassen was the second journalist to be killed in action in 2008.
Controversy in Norway
Thomassen's death triggered controversy in Norway when it became known that the Norwegian Foreign Ministry had ignored recommendations from PST and Norwegian military intelligenceMilitary intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
regarding the security arrangements for Støre's visit. One particularly controversial decision, which may have contributed to the Taliban's choice of target, was to publish Støre's itinerary, including the name of the hotel where he would be staying, in advance of the trip. Furthermore, while it is standard operating procedure for the Norwegian ISAF
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
forces to escort any Norwegian delegation
Delegation
Delegation is the assignment of authority and responsibility to another person to carry out specific activities. However the person who delegated the work remains accountable for the outcome of the delegated work. Delegation empowers a subordinate to make decisions, i.e...
in Afghanistan with a protection detail including a medevac
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
APC
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
, the Foreign Ministry had declined such an escort. Subsequent to the attack, sources within the Norwegian armed forces
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
expressed dismay at the Norwegian Foreign Ministry's lack of proper contingency plan
Contingency plan
A contingency plan is a plan devised for an exceptional risk which is impractical or impossible to avoid. Contingency plans are often devised by governments or businesses who want to be prepared for events which, while highly unlikely, may have catastrophic effects. For example, suppose many...
s for medical evacuation.