The Defense Minister is in the U.S. to talk to American colleagues and partners about present and future military collaboration between the two countries. Norway is an active part in the worldwide war on terror, with a strong presence in places including Afghanistan and Iraq.
When Ms. Devold met the press outside the White House folloiwng the lunch with Ms. Rice, she was full of praise for the National Security Adviser.
"She is a strong, sympathetic and intelligent woman," she said.
Iraqi security
The hour-long meeting gave the two leaders a chance to talk about several issues of importance to both. The current situation in Iraq was one of these issues.
"I told her that we need to support the establishment of a new government in Iraq," she said.
"The assassination of Ezzedine Salim [the head of the Iraqi Governing Council] this weekend shows that we need to focus on ensuring the safety of the new government once it is established."
Ms. Devold added that there should not be any doubt as to whether a new Iraqi government would be established on time.
"The occupation ends on June 30," she said.
The two women also discussed the current situation in the Middle East and the future of NATO.
"We face some challenges," said the Defense Minister, "in defining the roles in NATO for small nations such as Norway."
Concern
The Norwegian defense system is undergoing major changes these days (see link to the article "Going Abroad", right) in order to accomodate a post-Cold War situation.
"We are in a process of specialization. Among the things we are very good at is gathering intelligence. This is obviously of interest to the United States," Ms. Devold said.
Her conversation with the National Security Adviser also included talk of the allegations concering the treatment of prisoners in Iraq. The Defense Minister said that the photographs she had seen were "terrible".
"I told Ms. Rice that I was deeply concerned about the alleged mishandling of prisoners in Iraq," she said.
The Norwegian Prime Minister, Kjell Magne Bondevik has also reacted publicly to the alllegations. In a recent TV interview he said that he expected political consequences if the recent allegations printed in this week's New Yorker magazine were true.
National Day
Kristin Krohn Devold was in Washington, DC during Norway's National Day on May 17, and was the natural guest of honor at the annual "Søttende Mai" breakfast at the Ambassador's Residence.
"When I for the first time in my life celebrate this day abroad, I'm very glad I could do it here with you here in Washington," she told the 300 Norwegians that had gathered to enjoy the day with Norwegian specialities like salmon and cheese.
At a gathering in nearby Carderock Park, not even a member of the swarming hordes of cicadas could ruin the mood when Ms. Devold held the main speech of the day.
"I'm not afraid of it," she told a laughing crowd as the red-eyed insect landed on her arm.
"And," she added, "it's not afraid of me".