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