Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07STOCKHOLM1319
2007-10-26 15:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDEN: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND
how-toVZCZCXRO0647 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSM #1319 2991539 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 261539Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2854 INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 001319
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP PARM EFIN IR SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND
INDIVIDUALS
REF: A. STATE 148605
B. STOCKHOLM 1266
C. STOCKHOLM 1267
Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 001319
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP PARM EFIN IR SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND
INDIVIDUALS
REF: A. STATE 148605
B. STOCKHOLM 1266
C. STOCKHOLM 1267
Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (c) DCM made reftel demarche on designations of Iranian
entities, individuals, and banks October 26 to Deputy Foreign
Minister Frank Belfrage, urging Sweden to support parallel
steps in an EU setting, as part of the package of autonomous
measures. Belfrage said Sweden would like to see another UN
resolution as a basis for additional sanctions, though he
understood that the threat that the EU might act unilaterally
first could help get a third UNSCR later. He added that
Sweden was concerned about the WTO implications of sanctions.
2. (c) Sweden, he said, as a staunch free trader is
concerned about the precedent effect of sanctions and in
general does not prefer them, although it recognizes that
sometimes they are necessary. He noted that when sanctions
are appropriate, they need to be designed to be effective.
He said that financial sanctions, such as the U.S. had
decreed against Iran, met that standard. He said Sweden had
called for sanctions again Burma to include not just timber
and gems but also oil and gas, which would make a difference
to the regime.
3. (c) Comment: Sweden takes a more nuanced approach to
sanctions against Iran than against Burma (refs B and C).
Sweden supported autonomous EU measures against Burma,
arguing for sanctions with clout, while holding back --
asking for more time and another UNSCR -- on Iran. The
difference in approach between Burma and Iran seems to us
related to differences in what is at stake for Sweden,
commercially and politically. Sweden has more trade with
Iran, including selling lots of Volvo trucks there, and has
an Embassy there. Burma is more remote to Swedish interests,
and is covered diplomatically out of Sweden's mission in
Thailand. End Comment.
WOOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP PARM EFIN IR SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN: DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND
INDIVIDUALS
REF: A. STATE 148605
B. STOCKHOLM 1266
C. STOCKHOLM 1267
Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman, reason 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (c) DCM made reftel demarche on designations of Iranian
entities, individuals, and banks October 26 to Deputy Foreign
Minister Frank Belfrage, urging Sweden to support parallel
steps in an EU setting, as part of the package of autonomous
measures. Belfrage said Sweden would like to see another UN
resolution as a basis for additional sanctions, though he
understood that the threat that the EU might act unilaterally
first could help get a third UNSCR later. He added that
Sweden was concerned about the WTO implications of sanctions.
2. (c) Sweden, he said, as a staunch free trader is
concerned about the precedent effect of sanctions and in
general does not prefer them, although it recognizes that
sometimes they are necessary. He noted that when sanctions
are appropriate, they need to be designed to be effective.
He said that financial sanctions, such as the U.S. had
decreed against Iran, met that standard. He said Sweden had
called for sanctions again Burma to include not just timber
and gems but also oil and gas, which would make a difference
to the regime.
3. (c) Comment: Sweden takes a more nuanced approach to
sanctions against Iran than against Burma (refs B and C).
Sweden supported autonomous EU measures against Burma,
arguing for sanctions with clout, while holding back --
asking for more time and another UNSCR -- on Iran. The
difference in approach between Burma and Iran seems to us
related to differences in what is at stake for Sweden,
commercially and politically. Sweden has more trade with
Iran, including selling lots of Volvo trucks there, and has
an Embassy there. Burma is more remote to Swedish interests,
and is covered diplomatically out of Sweden's mission in
Thailand. End Comment.
WOOD