SWEDEN'S MIGRATION MINISTER ON GUANTANAMO DETAINEES

S E C R E T STOCKHOLM 000237


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2029
TAGS: KAWK PHUM MOPS PREL PTER PREF EU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN'S MIGRATION MINISTER ON GUANTANAMO DETAINEES

REF: A. GENEVA 263

B. 2008 STATE 106853

Classified By: CDA Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) Swedish Minister of Migration Tobias Billstrom asked
CDA to come see him on short notice on April 8 to discuss
Guantanamo detainees. Saying that Sweden strongly approved
of the "general approach" the Administration has taken on
detainees, Billstrom stated that if Sweden can assist, it
would like to do so. The solution for Sweden boils down to
two points: first, there must be a "quality branding" for
individual asylum seekers "achieved by using UNHCR"; and
second, Swedish administrative procedures must be followed
precisely, meaning that there must be a strong case for
protection for any individual who might be re-settled.
Billstrom continued that the U.S. and Sweden have a "common
interest in thinking about ways to achieve this."


2. (S) Billstrom cautioned it would be important to craft an
approach "using UNHCR in an instrumental way, which might
just work." He added that the Swedish Government would need
to hear directly from UNHCR. "If UNHCR is ready to go
forward, then we are willing to consider the issue very
carefully." Billstrom stressed that there was an important
"political dimension to be considered," and that it would be
"embarrassing" if an "approach" were made that did not
include UNHCR, forcing Sweden to say no.


3. (S) Billstrom noted that China is "probing" various EU
Member States on the possibility that they would accept
Uighur detainees. He stated that "for my part, this is
solely a question of protection, and if we work with UNHCR in
a proper way, it would help us to withstand the pressure from
the Chinese." Billstrom stated that he was aware of
communication between the Swedish security service (SAPO) and
the USG on the security backgrounds of five Uighur detainees.
(Note: SAPO has determined that five Uighurs and two
non-Uighurs would pose no significant security threat if
resettled in Sweden.)


4. (S) Billstrom asked about USG requirements for security
monitoring of detainees who might be re-settled in Sweden.
Poloff replied that the USG usually requests humane treatment
and security-related assurances when transferring detainees,
but had flexibility in terms of the latter in some cases (Ref
B). CDA offered that USG experts might be willing to meet
with the Minister to answer his questions on thQ#Q1Qto Amb.
Williamson during his March meetings in Geneva (Ref A). In
any case, Billstrom remained focused on UNHCR and never once
raised the need for an EU framework for handling the issue.


5. (S) Action Request: Please advise whether senior USG
officials responsible for Guantanamo issues might be
available to visit Sweden in coming weeks, possibly with
representatives from UNHCR.

SILVERMAN