Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STOCKHOLM824
2008-12-10 07:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

OPPOSITION SUPPORTS TROOP INCREASE IN AFGHANISTAN

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL SW 
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P 100741Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3966
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000824 


State for EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SW
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION SUPPORTS TROOP INCREASE IN AFGHANISTAN

Ref: A. STOCKHOLM 771

B. STOCKHOLM 770


UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000824


State for EUR/NB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SW
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION SUPPORTS TROOP INCREASE IN AFGHANISTAN

Ref: A. STOCKHOLM 771

B. STOCKHOLM 770



1. Summary: Despite internal dissent within the party, Sweden's
opposition Social Democrats decided formally on December 4 to
support the government's bill extending and increasing Sweden's ISAF
deployment. It is, therefore, almost certain that the bill will be
approved by Parliament on or about December 18. End summary.


2. On November 13, Sweden's governing center-right alliance
presented to Parliament a bill to extend and increase Sweden's
presence in Afghanistan. The bill concerns both the military
contribution to ISAF, including planned troop increases from 375 to
around 500, and the design of a new development assistance strategy,
with aid to increase from roughly 37.5 million USD to 62.5 million
USD per year (ref A-B).


3. On December 4, the opposition Social Democrat Party (SDP),which
holds the largest number of seats in Parliament, decided formally to
support the government's bill. SDP leaders made this decision
despite an ongoing internal dispute over Afghanistan policy. The
left wing of the party openly opposes SDP leader Mona Sahlin and
foreign policy spokesman Urban Ahlin's support for a troop increase.
Tage G. Peterson (former Minister for Defense),Pierre Schori
(former UN Ambassador and former Deputy Foreign Minister) and Bo
Ringholm (MP and former Finance Minister) continue their efforts to
create and sustain opposition among the party rank and file,
reminding them in public speeches and op-eds about the low public
support for Sweden's military presence in Afghanistan and the need
for even more aid efforts.


4. Comment: Given the SDP's formal support, the ISAF bill will
almost certainly be passed by Parliament on or about December 18.
End Comment.

WOOD