SWEDEN SEEKS U.S. COOPERATION IN EVALUATING

S E C R E T STOCKHOLM 001176

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO MARR MASS MOPS SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN SEEKS U.S. COOPERATION IN EVALUATING
REQUIREMENTS FOR MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS

Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
--------------

1. (s) Sweden has requested U.S. assistance in evaluating
requirements for the deployment of the Sweden-led EU Nordic
Battlegroup, scheduled to be operational January 1, 2008. At
the MFA's request, we met September 18 with MFA Americas
Director Hakan Malmqvist and a Swedish interagency group
including MOD Deputy Director for Security Policy and
International Affairs Martin Bengtsson. We suggested that
they clarify the extent and scope of the transport assistance
request made in MOD State Secretary Wessberg's August 31
letter to Deputy Secretary of Defense England (see below at
para 4). Malmqvist said a clarified request would be made to
the Embassy by September 26. End Summary.

Framing the Swedish Request
--------------

2. (s) On September 18, DCM accompanied by Polcouns and
Defense Attache Col Bruce Acker met with Swedish Defense and
Foreign Ministry representatives to chart the way ahead in
addressing Sweden's request for transport support for the
Nordic Battlegroup. Defense Ministry State Secretary H.G.
Wessberg's August 31 letter to Deputy Secretary of Defense
England requesting assistance with airlift of the Nordic
Battle Group was the first formal request on a topic that had
been dealt with only informally earlier. DCM explained that
while we appreciated the State Secretary's attempt to open
the dialog to all possible contingencies, the request would
be difficult to address without more specificity. We
recommended the Swedes prepare a letter clarifying the scope
and nature of the request. Specifically, we suggested a
letter from the Foreign Ministry to the State Department
requesting USEUCOM and USTRANSCOM advice and assistance in
assessing and evaluating Swedish logistics movement plans for
the Nordic Battle Group, with the goal of identifying
potential shortfalls under the most likely deployment
scenarios. Armed with these shortfall assessments, the
Swedish government could then articulate more specific lift
requirements for which they might ask US assistance, should
the mission materialize. Malmqvist said Sweden would have a
letter to us by September 26.


3. (s) Comment: Making the EU Nordic Battlegroup work is a
policy priority for the Swedes. They are attempting to face
up to the logistical requirements of actually being able to
deploy on a short fuse (10 days) to a yet undetermined
destination. They have assured us that they will only seek
assistance in areas where they lack capabilities or cannot
find commercial solutions -- but they are not clear on what
those are. In the Embassy's view, cooperating with the
Swedes in evaluating their requirements is a good and
not-open-ended investment. We will pass on the refined
request when received. End Comment.


4. (s) Begin text of Wessberg letter:

31 August 2007

Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Honorable Gordon England
U.S. Department of Defense
Washington DC
USA

As you probably are aware, Sweden attaches great importance
to fulfilling its commitments to the EU Battlegroup Concept.
The Nordic Battlegroup, under Swedish lead, is on standby for
operations the first semester 2008. Preparations for this
task have been undertaken during a number of years, but the
issue of strategic transport remains a concern.

With reference to earlier high level discussions with the
U.S. Government, the Swedish Government wishes to request
assistance from the U.S. Government concerning strategic
airlift for the Nordic Battlegroup if it is to be deployed.
The request comprises deployment, sustainment and
redeployment of the battlegroup, intra-theater as well as
inter-theater lift. It would encompass the entire Battlegroup
or parts of it, all depending on type of mission. The
timescales for the assistance could possibly be November 2007
(for a pre-deployment force) into the second semester 2008
(depending on when the operation starts).

For the time being neither date, destination, anticipated
mission or load can be specified, and for that reason the
Swedish Government kindly asks the US Government for
contingency planning support. If the US Government is
favourable to this request, our respective staffs could
together clarify planning prerequisites as well as legal and
financial arrangements (an agreement according to ACSA -
principles could be envisaged).

I would also like to express that a U.S. Air Force
participation, demonstrating strategic airlift capability, in
conjunction with the Nordic Battlegroup final exercise at the
end of October/early November 2007, would be highly
appreciated. In closing this letter I would like to express
the Swedish Government's great appreciation of the good
cooperation that since long time exists between the armed
forces of our two countries.

H G Wessberg

Secretary of State

SIPDIS
Ministry of Defense
Sweden
WOOD