Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM238
2009-04-09 14:26:00
SECRET
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDEN ON SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO3824 PP RUEHDBU RUEHPW DE RUEHSM #0238 0991426 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 091426Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4287 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
S E C R E T STOCKHOLM 000238
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN
REF: SECSTATE 31102
Classified By: A/DCM Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T STOCKHOLM 000238
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN
REF: SECSTATE 31102
Classified By: A/DCM Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) On April 7, Polcouns delivered reftel demarche to
Swedish MFA Deputy Director of the International Security
Policy Department Carl Magnus Eriksson. Eriksson noted that
the NSC recently delivered a request for a third OMLT to
Sweden's Embassy in Washington, which the government "took
very seriously." However, he said, Sweden lacks the
resources to send a third OMLT at this time. Sweden's recent
commitment to send a second OMLT this November, Eriksson
continued, represents a "substantial increase in assistance
and a major effort." The 40 troops that will operate at the
"kandak" (battalion) level will supplement the eight Swedish
soldiers currently working at the corps level.
2. (S) Eriksson said the MFA would seriously consider the
list of additional requests in reftel, but noted the
requested support for the ANA Trust Fund is a "considerable
amount." He quoted FM Bildt as saying "we have the blueprint
(for Afghanistan),but the challenge is the implementation"
in these difficult economic times.
3. (S) Comment: We assess that Sweden will look for ways to
respond to the articulated needs for Afghanistan. Though
resources have already been allocated under this year's
budget, we believe Sweden could be persuaded to contribute
more for development assistance and possibly the ANA Trust
Fund in 2010. Moreover, through sustained dialogue on
security needs, especially in RC-North, we believe the Swedes
could be convinced to deploy additional forces, possibly an
engineering battalion or an OMLT if there is a specific
requirement for trainers in or near the Swedish PRT in
Mazar-e Sharif.
SILVERMAN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2019
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO AFGHANISTAN
REF: SECSTATE 31102
Classified By: A/DCM Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) On April 7, Polcouns delivered reftel demarche to
Swedish MFA Deputy Director of the International Security
Policy Department Carl Magnus Eriksson. Eriksson noted that
the NSC recently delivered a request for a third OMLT to
Sweden's Embassy in Washington, which the government "took
very seriously." However, he said, Sweden lacks the
resources to send a third OMLT at this time. Sweden's recent
commitment to send a second OMLT this November, Eriksson
continued, represents a "substantial increase in assistance
and a major effort." The 40 troops that will operate at the
"kandak" (battalion) level will supplement the eight Swedish
soldiers currently working at the corps level.
2. (S) Eriksson said the MFA would seriously consider the
list of additional requests in reftel, but noted the
requested support for the ANA Trust Fund is a "considerable
amount." He quoted FM Bildt as saying "we have the blueprint
(for Afghanistan),but the challenge is the implementation"
in these difficult economic times.
3. (S) Comment: We assess that Sweden will look for ways to
respond to the articulated needs for Afghanistan. Though
resources have already been allocated under this year's
budget, we believe Sweden could be persuaded to contribute
more for development assistance and possibly the ANA Trust
Fund in 2010. Moreover, through sustained dialogue on
security needs, especially in RC-North, we believe the Swedes
could be convinced to deploy additional forces, possibly an
engineering battalion or an OMLT if there is a specific
requirement for trainers in or near the Swedish PRT in
Mazar-e Sharif.
SILVERMAN