SWEDEN RESPONDS TO PAKISTAN DONORS' CONFERENCE

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000234 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN PK SW SUBJECT: SWEDEN RESPONDS TO PAKISTAN DONORS' CONFERENCE DEMARCHE: WILL REVIEW ITS AID, FOCUS ON POSSIBLE EU-PAKISTAN SUMMIT REF: A. STOCKHOLM 229 ¶B. STATE 32712 ¶1. On April 8, CDA together with the Japanese and Pakistani Ambassadors discussed the joint demarche with Minister Wilhelm Von Warnstedt, Director of the South Asian Department at the Swedish MFA. CDA and the Japanese and Pakistani Ambassadors urged that Sweden send a ministerial level representative to the Tokyo meeting, and that Sweden consider making a substantial pledge at the conference. The Japanese Ambassador also passed a letter of invitation to the conference from Japanese Prime Minister Aso to Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. ¶2. Warnstedt responded that Sweden believes the Pakistan issue is extremely important both on a national and regional basis, and that the MFA is reviewing its ability to announce a new pledge. The plan is for Sweden to be represented by Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Anna-Karin Enestrom. Sweden is impressed with the "generous" plans for U.S. and Japanese pledges, he added. Warnstedt also noted the conclusion of the December 2008 EU Council meeting for an EU-Pakistan summit. He understands that the plan is for this summit to take place during the Czech EU Presidency. He added that if this does not occur during the Czech Presidency, Sweden would make the summit a priority during its EU Presidency. ¶3. Comment: As we reported ref A, it does not seem likely that Sweden will be ready by next week to announce new aid for Pakistan. It takes time to shift its aid budget to add funds for Pakistan, the Swedes tell us. We will continue to press for more support for Pakistan. SILVERMAN