Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM624
2008-09-15 13:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

SWEDISH MFA SAYS "WE'RE READY TO INCREASE AID TO

Tags:  PGOV PREL EAID AF SW 
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VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSM #0624 2591358
ZNY CCCCC ZZH (CCY ADD8683F AMG3820-695)
P 151358Z SEP 08 ZDS
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3739
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0086
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000624 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY TEXT

WHSR FOR CHRIS THOMAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH MFA SAYS "WE'RE READY TO INCREASE AID TO
AFGHANISTAN -- GIVE US YOUR IDEAS"

REF: STOCKHOLM 610

Classified By: DCM Bob Silverman, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000624

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D COPY TEXT

WHSR FOR CHRIS THOMAS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH MFA SAYS "WE'RE READY TO INCREASE AID TO
AFGHANISTAN -- GIVE US YOUR IDEAS"

REF: STOCKHOLM 610

Classified By: DCM Bob Silverman, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) The Director of the Office of National Drug Control
Policy (ONDCP),John Walters, met with MFA State Secretary
Frank Belfrage on September 8 to discuss the way forward in
Afghanistan. Walters thanked Sweden for its long-term
support of Afghanistan, especially for its commitment to
leading a PRT. Both sides agreed that security and poppy
eradication must be dealt with together.


2. (C) Belfrage said Sweden is restructuring its
international aid program to focus on select areas of the
world (reftel). In Afghanistan, Sweden wants to increase the
number of development projects it funds. Additionally, he
said Sweden is working on a joint Nordic approach to
Afghanistan, combining security with civilian operations, and
is looking for suggestions to better target its programs.


3. (C) Comment: Now is the time to enter into a serious,
detailed discussion with the Swedes over what they can do on
the ground to improve the situation in Afghanistan,
especially in their PRT in Mazar-i Sharif. Post seeks
Department guidance on these issues. DCM has also spoken
with MFA Political Director Lyrvall about the possibility of
a joint U.S.-Swedish assessment mission to Mazar-i-Sharif to
look at reconstruction and development needs. End Comment.



4. (U) This cable was cleared by ONDCP staff.
WOOD