Pål Steigan
| Pål Steigan | |
|---|---|
|
Pål Steigan lecturing at Parkteateret at a seminar about author Tron Øgrim in 2007 | |
| Leader of the Workers' Communist Party | |
|
In office 1975–1984 | |
| Preceded by | Sigurd Allern |
| Succeeded by | Kjersti Ericsson |
| Leader of the Red Electoral Alliance | |
|
In office 1975–1979 | |
| Preceded by | Sigurd Allern |
| Succeeded by | Hilde Haugsgjerd |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
31 May 1949 Oslo, Norway |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Political party | Red Party |
| Other political affiliations |
Workers' Communist Party Red Electoral Alliance |
| Residence | Oslo, Norway |
Pål Steigan (born 31 May 1949 in Oslo) is a Norwegian communist and former leader of the Maoist Workers' Communist Party, AKP (m-l), from 1975 to 1984, and jointly leader of the Red Electoral Alliance (RV) until 1979.[1][2] He is also a writer and editor.
Workers Communist Party, AKP (m-l)
During his leadership of AKP (m-l), Steigan traveled to several countries ruled by communist regimes, such as China, Czechoslovakia, Albania and Cambodia (Democratic Kampuchea).[1] He personally met Mao Zedong, Enver Hoxa and Pol Pot.[3]
Steigan met the Khmer Rouge dictator Pol Pot in 1978, and eagerly supported the regime after his visit.[4] Later, he has admitted that supporting the Khmer Rouge regime, responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million Cambodians, was a mistake,[5] although he has continued to be criticised for bearing a personal responsibility for his political support to the regime.[4]
Books
Steigan released his memoirs En folkefiende (A public enemy) in 2013.[3]
Steigan, Pål, Veiskille: finnes det noen vei ut av miljøkrisa? Oktober Forlag, Oslo, 1990, 244 s.
References
- 1 2 "Pål Steigan", Store norske leksikon, 29.12.2012
- ↑ Arbeidernes Kommunistparti in Store norske leksikon (Norwegian)
- 1 2 "Pål Steigan: - Vi dro det for langt", Aftenposten, 17.09.2003
- 1 2 "Det unnvikende oppgjøret", Dagbladet, 17.07.2003
- ↑ "Pål Steigan slår tilbake mot folkemord-anklager", Dagbladet, 17.07.2003