Sir, As a former ambassador to Denmark and Norway (1998-2001) I would like to endorse your call for judicious and far-sighted harvesting of this countrys oil and gas reserves (Editorial, August 29th).
Oil wealth can often prove to be a curse, but the Nordic countries are examples of the positive impact that natural resources can have on small, well-managed, open societies. Both Norway and Denmark benefit from strong parliaments which carefully monitor the actions of government and civil service in dividing up a resource which is the property of the people. Their allocation of exploration and extraction licences is accordingly transparent, well-informed and clearly subordinate to the public good.