SWEDEN - INFO ON IRAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000183

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN KPAO KDEM IR SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN - INFO ON IRAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND DEMOCRACY
PROGRAMMING

REF: STATE 2659

Classified By: Political Counselor Casey Christensen, reason 1.4 (b) &
(d)


1. (C) On February 15, Poloffs met with Dag
Juhlin-Dannfelt, Deputy Director at the MFA Middle East and
North Africa Department, to discuss Sweden's efforts to
promote civil society and democracy in Iran. Per reftel,
Poloffs shared information on U.S. democratization efforts in
Iran. Ulf Lindell, Deputy Director at the MFA Disarmament
and Non-proliferation Division, and Niklas Wiberg, Desk
officer at the MFA Global Security Department, attended the
meeting.


2. (C) Dannfelt said promotion of democracy, and human
rights, has long been, and will continue to be, a mainstay of
Sweden's engagement with Iran. He noted the Government of
Sweden:

-- funds human rights training by the Raoul Wallenberg
Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian (RWI) law for
Iranians. The RWI, he said, throughout the year conducts
human rights training that draws individuals from all over
the Middle East. There are usually two to three Iranians in
each course.

-- sponsors student exchanges, notably through a program with
the University of Tehran. Through study in Sweden, a number
(unspecified) of Iranian students obtain exposure to "Western
Values" each year.

-- through its embassy in Tehran, engages the Government of
Iran directly on human rights concerns. The Embassy
additionally maintains contact with human rights activists
within Iran.

-- through its embassy in Tehran, sponsors cultural programs.

-- through the MFA in Stockholm, discusses human rights and
democracy concerns with Iranian diplomats in Sweden. For
example, on February 14 MFA Political Director Olof Skoog met
with the Iranian Ambassador and expressed, inter alia,
Sweden's opprobrium for the Iran-hosted Holocaust Conference.
Skoog additionally delivered a "very strong" message
underscoring the need for Iran's full compliance with UNSCR

1737.

-- includes Iran within the Swedish International Development
Agency (SIDA) activities for the Middle East and North Africa
region.

-- officially meets with Shirin Ebadi -- Iranian human rights
activist and 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner -- when she visits
Sweden. Dannfelt said the Foreign Minister has met with her
on past visits to Sweden.


3. (C) Dannfelt believes Ahmedinejad is increasingly
disinclined to allow EU members states engage with civil
society in Iran, out of fear that such efforts are intended
to foster "regime change." The Governent of Iran harbors
strong fears that Western outreach efforts mask hidden
agendas, he said. He stressed the need for discreet
engagement.

WOOD