Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07STOCKHOLM1389
2007-11-16 17:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

SWEDEN ON NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING

Tags:  PREL PGOV EUN PK SW CH BM IS LE KV SY ZI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8589
OO RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHSM #1389 3201709
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 161709Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2917
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 001389

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN PK SW CH BM IS LE KV SY ZI
IR
SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON NOVEMBER 19-20 FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING
(GAERC)

REF: STATE 156474

Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reason 1.4 (b)

(C) On November 16, Poloff met with MFA Deputy European
Correspondent Niclas Kvarnstrom regarding the November EU
Foreign Ministers GAERC.

--Palestine. Sweden agreed with our talking points.

--Zimbabwe. Sweden agreed with our talking points.

--Israel and Palestine. Sweden agreed with our talking
points, and Kvarnstrom added that the EU intends to adopt a
strategy to support institution building in Palestine. He
also pointed out that in addition to our points, Sweden
places great importance on humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

--Lebanon. Sweden stands united with the EU in its support of
a consensus candidate for the Lebanese presidency, but
Kvarnstrom acknowledged that Sweden would recognize any
President elected according to the Lebanese constitution.

--Iraq. Sweden intends to encourage the EU to adopt a greater
role in rebuilding Iraq and fostering political dialogue, but
Kvarnstrom added that addressing Iraqi refugee burden-sharing
within the EU is also a Swedish priority.

--Iran. Sweden does not support EU autonomous sanctions.
Kvarnstrom argued, to be effective, sanctions must be passed
by the UN to prevent trade from simply being diverted to
non-EU nations. Sweden intends to discuss this issue with
China at the upcoming EU-China Summit.

--Burma. Sweden supports continuing the EU process of
researching possible "smart" sanctions that target the regime
effectively, but Kvarnstrom said, at this GAERC, Sweden will
support the adoption of a Revised Joint Action Plan that
expands the sanctions on timber, metal and gems slightly,
while not including financial sanctions. He said Sweden
supports the EU discussing Burma with China and India at
upcoming summits.

--Kosovo. Sweden does not believe there is a "quick fix"
solution to Kosovo. Kvarnstrom noted that the internal
disagreement over the future status of Kosovo has the
potential to be more damaging to the EU than the debate on
the Iraq War. He stressed the importance of considering the
negative effects immediate Kosovar independence could have on
Bosnia and secessionist enclaves and noted the merits of a
more cautious, measured approach.
HILTON