Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM187
2008-03-07 16:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDEN WILL INCREASE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ1515 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHSM #0187 0671602 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 071602Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3247 INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000187
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR FOR NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WILL INCREASE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: STATE 19516
Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000187
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR FOR NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WILL INCREASE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: STATE 19516
Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On March 6, poloff and Defense Attache's Office (DAO)
delivered, in parallel to the MFA and MOD, reftel demarche
seeking additional Swedish support in Afghanistan. MOD's
U.S. Desk Officer Karin Hevert noted that Sweden's
participation in the current EU Nordic Battle Group will end
in June, but some of its all-volunteer troops will still be
under contract with the Swedish military. Sweden will draw
from these troops to replace/reinforce troops currently in
Afghanistan. In total, the Swedish military plans to
increase its troop contribution in Afghanistan from around
365 to over 410 by the end of the summer, and to 550 by 2009.
The role of these troops appears to be to strengthen
security due to a possible increase in the Taliban's threat
to the Swedish contingent.
2. (C) In poloff's meeting with MFA Deputy Director of
Security Policy Karin Anderman, it was noted that the Swedish
Government is interested in contributing more to training
Afghanistan's National Army and police. However, she said
internal discussions are continuing and commitments,
including additional Operational Mentor Liason Teams, cannot
yet be made, mostly due to budgetary constraints.
SILVERMAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
EUR FOR NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2018
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WILL INCREASE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN
REF: STATE 19516
Classified By: Polcouns Casey Christensen for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) On March 6, poloff and Defense Attache's Office (DAO)
delivered, in parallel to the MFA and MOD, reftel demarche
seeking additional Swedish support in Afghanistan. MOD's
U.S. Desk Officer Karin Hevert noted that Sweden's
participation in the current EU Nordic Battle Group will end
in June, but some of its all-volunteer troops will still be
under contract with the Swedish military. Sweden will draw
from these troops to replace/reinforce troops currently in
Afghanistan. In total, the Swedish military plans to
increase its troop contribution in Afghanistan from around
365 to over 410 by the end of the summer, and to 550 by 2009.
The role of these troops appears to be to strengthen
security due to a possible increase in the Taliban's threat
to the Swedish contingent.
2. (C) In poloff's meeting with MFA Deputy Director of
Security Policy Karin Anderman, it was noted that the Swedish
Government is interested in contributing more to training
Afghanistan's National Army and police. However, she said
internal discussions are continuing and commitments,
including additional Operational Mentor Liason Teams, cannot
yet be made, mostly due to budgetary constraints.
SILVERMAN