"Before i translate it, though, let me clear up the meaning of a
term that turns up in the article but that unfortunately doesn't translate
well: "russ".  This is the kids who are in their final year of secondary
school (high school) - allowed, even expected, to act and dress weird to 
blow off some steam in the final weeks of school."

Translation by Cindy Kandolf.



Here's the article then:

AQUA-LENE SILENT ABOUT THE RUMORS

In an interview with Tønsberg Blad, Lene Nystrøm would not confirm or 
deny any relationship with Morten Harket.

Lene Nystrøm measured her words to Tønsberg Blad carefully when she on 
Thursday was named as an honorary "russ" at Re Secondary School at 
Ramnes near Tønsberg.

After the music channel MTV released the news that Aqua-Lene "is dating" 
the former a-ha star Morten Harket, the world has been stood on its 
head.  [VG never exagerrates, naah...]

"We have decided that we're not going to say anything about this," Lene 
said to Tønsberg Blad.

"Helping"

According to Lene, Harket has been a great help to her, the rest of Aqua 
and their families.

"He helps us with internal things, to put it that way, and I really 
appreciate that," says Lene.

She met Harket for the very first time at the Spellemann show, but her 
lawyer had contacted the singer long before the presentation, where the 
two made a very popular pair of award presenters.

"We talked with him about how we can tackle success," explains Lene, and 
points out that Harket is the only Norwegian who has experienced the down 
side of life as an international pop star.

"It's important to keep the 'old' Lene alive in the middle of all this," 
insists Lene, who is now about to start planning the group's new live 
show before concerts in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

In spite of her success, Lene is still a sociable girl.  "Russ" president 
Mathias Eik got a kiss right on the lips in thanks for making her an 
honorary "russ".

Just two hours after being given the honor by the Re "russ", Aqua-Lene 
was on the plain to London after two days at home with mamma and pappa, 
where she had to deal with weekly magzine photographers surrounding her 
childhood home.

PHOTO CAPTION:  "Getting Help": Aqua-Lene won't deny the rumors about 
her romance with Morten Harket, only say that he has been helpful.  Here 
they are together at the Spellemann show.  

------------------

There's also a short article at 
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=12855 with MTV's side of the story.

"MTV STANDS BY ITS CLAIM"

The MTV reporter who broke the news about Aqua-Lene Nystrøm and Morten 
Harket's romance is standing by her claim.

The reporter claims to have confronted Lene with the news before it was 
aired on Monday.

"But Lene didn't need to confirm the relationship.  We have such good 
sources that we're completely certain this is the truth," Danish Camilla 
Malvig said to VG.

"I'd bet my life on this being right," she emphasizes.

MTV's main sources are said to be people who have been at a party 
together with Lene and Morten and seen them together as a couple.

Aqua manager Niklas Anker was apparently unaware of the MTV news and the 
claims of romance when VG contacted him yesterday.

"Lene is on vacation, and I don't know if she's in Norway, Denmark, or 
England," he claims.

Through a spokesman, Morten Harket has denied that there is a romantic
relationship between himself and Aqua-Lene. 

(From VG, May 3, 1998 - translation by Cindy)