SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ ON REFUGEES, SIDA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 001852 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF SW IZ SUBJECT: SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ ON REFUGEES, SIDA DELEGATION, PLANS FOR BAGHDAD EMBASSY AND VISIT TO CAMP CROPPER REF: (A) BAGHDAD 1734 (B) AMMAN 1789 Classified By: Charge d' Affaires Patricia A. Butenis. Reasons 1.5 (b, d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In a June 17 meeting with the Charge, Swedish Ambassador to Iraq (resident in Amman) Niclas Trouve provided updates on implementation of the Swedish-Iraqi refugee "Return Agreement" (which he said is running smoothly) and the status of reopening an Embassy in Baghdad (expected to be open and staffed in 9-12 months). In the context of the latter, Trouve sought a more explicit understanding of the type of assistance post could provide to Swedish diplomatic personnel in the event of an emergency. He characterized his recent visit to Camp Cropper as "fantastic," but also noted that a delay in obtaining information on one Swedish-Iraqi dual national detainee -- while now resolved -- was of concern. End Summary. Positive Dynamic Since Stockholm -------------- ¶2. (C) Charge Butenis opened the meeting by congratulating Ambassador Trouve for Sweden's excellent job hosting the May 29 ICI in Stockholm. She noted that Iraqi officials were very pleased and saw the conference as a turning point that demonstrated the world's attitude toward Iraq had changed for the better. Since then we have had the visit of the UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayid to Baghdad (Ref A) and PM Maliki's visit to Amman (Ref B). There is a positive dynamic and the ICI contributed to that. Swedish-Iraqi Return Agreement and Refugees -------------- ¶3. (C) Ambassador Trouve noted that he had been in Stockholm for the ICI, as well as for bilateral discussions the GOS had with the Iraqis. On the latter, the main topic of discussion was implementation of the Return Agreement that had been signed in February. Trouve characterized the return process as running smoothly, although "still a trickle" of 1-2 people per day. Returnees are flown from Stockholm to Amman and then on to Baghdad. After that, the GOS has not been tracking what happens to them or where they go: "That's for the Iraqi government to do, as per the terms of our agreement." Trouve noted that both the number of asylees arriving in Sweden each month (500) and the percentage of those staying (25 percent) have dropped considerably since last year (1500 and 80 percent respectively). Ambassador Butenis outlined recent expanded USG efforts to address the Iraqi refugee issue, including the agreement to take in 12,000 individuals this fiscal year, the expanded definition of who can claim refugee status, and new mechanisms to do in-country processing here in Iraq, given the difficulties Iraqis face traveling to Amman as a result of new Jordanian visa rules. She also noted that 5,000 slots have been created under the "Special Immigrant Visa" program for Iraqis who have worked for the USG, US media or US NGOs for at least one year. SIDA Visit -------------- ¶4. (C) Turning to his current visit, Trouve said he was here this time with a delegation from the Swedish Development Agency SIDA. The fact that they came at all was the result of a long bureaucratic battle in Stockholm centered on security concerns of SIDA leadership. The SIDA officials that came with him, however, have extensive field experience in the region and have said seeing with their own eyes the situation on the ground is the best thing they could have done. Trouve said that once a permanent Swedish Embassy opens (see below),he hopes it will include a SIDA office so as to facilitate direct support for projects, not just through UNHCR and various NGOs, as is currently the case. Swedish Embassy Update -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador Trouve then provided an update on the state-of-play on standing up a Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. He noted that earlier in the day the first work began on the Embassy site (located, he said, just outside the International Zone (IZ) on the main road between the MFA and the Baghdad Zoo). Renovation of two buildings (one for the Residence and one for the Chancery) and possible construction of a third (to house the guard force) will be necessary. T-walls are being erected and a guard force is being put in place. However GOS construction and security personnel expect it will take 9-12 months before all necessary work BAGHDAD 00001852 002 OF 002 will be completed to allow Embassy personnel to move in and the Embassy to be opened. Until then, Trouve will continue to visit on a monthly basis. Request for Exchange of Notes on Procedures for US Embassy Assistance in Case of Emergency -------------- - ¶6. (C) In the context of the preparations necessary to open their Embassy, Ambassador Trouve requested post to provide something in writing that would clarify the steps that would be taken in case of an emergency requiring immediate assistance for Swedish Embassy personnel. Specifically, he asked for clarification and description of the following: -- In case of an attack on the Swedish Embassy, can they rely on Embassy/MNF-I Quick Reaction Forces (QRF) for rescue and transport (as required) to the Combat Support Hospital (CSH) for medical treatment? -- After treatment at the CSH, how would Swedish Embassy personnel be Medevac'ed out of Iraq and to where? -- Will we share intelligence on security matters? ¶7. (C) Ambassador Trouve noted that the GOS had signed a long-term agreement with the private UK Control Risk Group "but we may need to sign some kind of MOU locally with you" to clarify the issues noted above. Ambassador Butenis promised to work with them on these issues and noted that our Regional Security Office already shared threat information with and provided guidance to many Diplomatic Missions here. "Fantastic" Visit to Camp Cropper; One Security Case of Concern -------------- ¶8. (C) Finally, Ambassador Trouve expressed deep thanks to the U.S. military for the recent visit he had made with other Swedish officials to Camp Cropper. In particular, he said the full strategic briefing General Hipwell provided had been terrific. What he had seen of the detention facilities "was very good, in very good order." He noted that during his visit he had had the opportunity to meet with two Swedish-Iraqi dual nationals and that for the GOS "it is very important that they are treated in the utmost manner and be given access to legal representatives. He asked whether the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Guantanamo would effect these prisoners (one had asked him "when can I see a lawyer?"). Ambassador Butenis said that the ramifications of the Supreme Court ruling are still being studied. ¶9. (C) Ambassador Trouve then brought up one particular case that "may be a problem for you in the future." He said the GOS had inquired in December 2007 about the status of a detained Swedish national. For months, the U.S. response had been that they could find no record of the individual in question. Then, in late May, the U.S. notified the GOS that the individual had been located. He acknowledged that the problem could have been that he had been listed as an Iraqi not as a Swede but "still the fact that he had been there for six months" before the GOS was notified was problematic. This delay notwithstanding, Ambassador Trouve underlined that the support he had gotten from the U.S. Embassy on Swedish detainees has been excellent and they are currently working on the modalities of ensuring regular prisoner visits every 3-4 months. BUTENIS