FILE PHOTO: U.S. Marines, who are to attend a six-month training to learn about winter warfare, arrive in Stjordal, Norway January 16, 2017. NTB Scanpix/Ned Alley/via REUTERS/File Photo
Mission Essential continues to look for translators from Russian and Norwegian to take support “extremely covert operations” of the US military in Norway, spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said in her press briefing on January 23rd.
As of January 24th, there is no such listing of a position.
Zakharova in her statement said the following:
“Our attention was drawn to reports in Norwegian online media to the effect that the company Mission Essential, registered in Ohio, which renders various services to the US military, intelligence organisations and the Department of State, as well as the governments of “friendly countries,” has announced a position for an expert and translator that speaks Russian and Norwegian “to support extremely covert operations” by the US military in Norway. The requirements for a job applicant are interesting: US citizenship, willingness to travel to “combat areas,” working seven days a week up to 12 hours a day, inconspicuous behaviour and knowledge of “the culture and customs of the country of stay.” In which country is this potential employee to use his talents? The contact is Arendal in the south of Norway with no definite address.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry also reached out to the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, however, it went into no detail and only said that it is keeping up with its NATO agreements.
“Unfortunately, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, without going into detail, reduced its comments to the usual themes on the US military’s regular exercises in Norway in keeping with its NATO agreements. Norwegian Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen is convinced, from facts known only to himself, that Norway’s US allies “respect Norway’s interests including Oslo’s policy towards Moscow in the fields of defense and security.””
Zakharova explained how Russia views the advert:
“US recruitment agencies are unceremoniously trying to recruit staff to carry out hostile moves against Russia from Norwegian territory. In this situation, official Oslo has been pushed into playing the role of an obedient subordinate whose task is to unconditionally approve all of its senior ally’s “creative plans.” We wonder if Norway really needs this.”
In late November and early December, SF reported on two other job adverts that were posted by Mission Essential.
The first one was looking for a Ukrainian Linguist based in Mykolayiv, Ukraine. The port city is also significant, because that is where the US “logistical” naval facility is currently under construction.
Since then, another advert was posted in the week between 14th and 20th January looking for another Ukrainian Linguist with the exact same description. [The screenshot was taken on January 24th].
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The second advert was looking for a Norwegian/Russian Linguist, similarly to what the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
It appears that either the position does not appear to be lucrative, or employees seem to leave quickly after being hired.
The report on the Norwegian/Russian Linguist position also included a posting for a Russian linguist in Moldova, with similar requirements.
As of December 4th, Mission Essential has also been looking for a Russian Linguist to provide translation services in support of US African Command. [Screenshot was made on January 24th]
Which may be showing of Russia’s progress in reinforcing its ties to the region.
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