FM BILDT ON U.S. HELP TO MAKE THE ICI A SUCCESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000288 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON IZ EU SW SUBJECT: FM BILDT ON U.S. HELP TO MAKE THE ICI A SUCCESS REF: STOCKHOLM 278 Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On April 17, Ambassador met with FM Bildt in anticipation of Sweden's hosting the May 29 International Compact with Iraq (ICI) conference. Bildt was joined by MFA State Secretary Belfrage, Ambassador Christer Kumlin (in charge of conference logistics),Chief of Staff Karin Olofsdotter, Americas Director Hakan Malmqvist, and Middle East Deputy Director Dag Juhlin-Dannfeldt; DCM and Polcouns accompanied the Ambassador. Bildt's main points: -- Sweden would like assistance in making sure the Iraqi delegation was broad and representative; Bildt was particularly concerned with getting the right high-level Sunni Arab representation. He noted FM Zebari has relatives in Sweden. -- Relatedly, Sweden wanted to ensure there is a good representation of Gulf Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. -- The hydrocarbon bill needs a push, and UN representative Staffan di Mistura told Bildt the U.S. was the only one able to do it. Sweden hopes progress on this can be made before the conference. -- Sweden also hoped that the Iraqi government would approve the budgetary expenditure for the provincial election to be held in the fall. ¶2. (C) Bildt said Sweden is planning a May 30 bilateral program for Maliki and the Iraqi delegation. This will include an audience with the King, meetings with Parliamentarians and Swedish business leaders, and meetings with the Iraqi community. ¶3. (C) Belfrage, who is handling the substantive side of conference preparations, said there could be a "meeting of high officials" on May 28 to work out any remaining issues on the conference documents. WOOD