SWEDES WELCOME AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN WHITE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000222 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2019 TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SW SUBJECT: SWEDES WELCOME AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN WHITE PAPER, INDICATE WILLINGNESS TO DO MORE REF: A. STATE 28929 ¶B. STATE 29482 Classified By: POL Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). Political Counselor delivered Afghanistan-Pakistan White Paper and points for the NATO and U.S.-EU summits (reftels) to MFA Deputy Director General for International Security Policy Carl Magnus Ericsson and Director General for Asia Klas Molin on March 27 and 31, respectively. Both noted Foreign Minister Carl Bildt's strong public endorsement of the strategy, with Molin adding, "Two thumbs up! We could not have written a better strategy ourselves." They also made the following observations: -- The White Paper reduces the gap between U.S. and EU views on the challenges and ways ahead in Afghanistan. The focus on population security is absolutely essential to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan -- and even in Europe. -- On foreign assistance, a "lack of conditionality" has been one of the biggest problems for Swedish efforts over the years, so it is especially good to see the White Paper's reference to benchmarks and effectiveness. -- Sweden is very appreciative of the clear support for UNAMA and for SRSG Kai Eide. Support for the UN mission is essential if it is to succeed in its effort to coordinate assistance for Afghanistan. -- The first thing Afghans say when asked what they need is "security" and the second thing they say is "responsible governance." Therefore, the emphasis on good governance and rooting out corruption is especially welcomed. -- On civilian casualties, Sweden fully understands that insurgents attack from villages in order to draw Allied fire and that they are expert at exploiting any resulting civilian casualties for their own propaganda purposes. Nonetheless, given the fact that "honor" plays such an important role among the tribes, Sweden thinks it is essential to pay compensation to survivors as soon as possible. -- Sweden notes that all U.S. units in Afghanistan are to be paired with Afghan units. The MFA feels that all Swedish troops in Afghanistan should be working as Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams. Sweden currently has one OMLT at the corps level and it will be sending a second team before the end of the year to work at the battalion level. Sweden could send a third team "the week after" but understands that there are no open slots for an OMLT in "our region." (Note: the Swedish PRT is in RC-North, based in Mazar-e Sharif.) -- Sweden understands that the Germans are considering establishing "schools" for training courses in several critical fields, including engineering and signals. Sweden might be able to contribute to that effort. SILVERMAN