Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM313
2009-05-26 12:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE REQUEST ON
how-toVZCZCXRO2707 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSM #0313 1461218 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 261218Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4368 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000313
SIPDIS
STATE FOR (JFREDERICK AND DHAYWOOD)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC EWWT ASEC MARR PARM PREL PHSA SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE REQUEST ON
ARMS/SECURITY TEAMS ABOARD MERCHANT VESSELS
REF: A. STOCKHOLM 295
B. STATE 45331
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000313
SIPDIS
STATE FOR (JFREDERICK AND DHAYWOOD)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC EWWT ASEC MARR PARM PREL PHSA SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE REQUEST ON
ARMS/SECURITY TEAMS ABOARD MERCHANT VESSELS
REF: A. STOCKHOLM 295
B. STATE 45331
1. Jonatan Bergstrom Jurisoo, Desk Officer, Security Policy
Department, Peace Support Operations Section, the Swedish MFA
told post on May 26 that Sweden welcomes the efforts made by
the ship-owners and insurance companies regarding their work
with risk awareness, lessons learned and best practices. In
replying to questions 1-4, however, he stated that Sweden
supports the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
position, which strongly discourages the carrying and use of
firearms for personal protection or protection of a ship.
2. Bergstom Jurisoo stated that under the Swedish Weapons
Act, a license is required to possess firearms or ammunition,
and similarly to bring firearms or ammunition into Sweden.
Although there are a few exceptions to this Act that allow
military personnel operating within the framework of
international military cooperation or international crisis
management, there are no exceptions designed to meet the
questions the U.S. posed regarding armed guards aboard
merchant ships, he added. Bergstrom Jurisoo explained that
Sweden would require a license in "each individual case" to
bring firearms into the country. The Swedish police would
then review each application at the place where customs
clearance would take place or at the location where the
firearms would be brought into Sweden.
3. Regarding question 5 and the issue of how Swedish law
would view anyone "detained" by crews or armed security
teams, Bergstrom Jurisoo stressed that only Swedish
authorities are allowed to exercise official authority in
Sweden. Given certain conditions, he continued, any person
may make a citizen's arrest, but must then hand the
individual over to the nearest Swedish police officer. In
reply to question 6, the Swedish National Police Authority is
responsible for all such issues, Bergstom Jurisoo concluded.
4. The demarche was delivered to Jonatan Bergstrom Jurisoo,
Desk Officer, Security Policy Department, Peace Support
Operations Section, the Swedish MFA. Embassy Stockholm
contact is Deputy Economic Counselor Richard W. La Roche,
468-783-5326, larocherw@state.gov.
SILVERMAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR (JFREDERICK AND DHAYWOOD)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KOMC EWWT ASEC MARR PARM PREL PHSA SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE REQUEST ON
ARMS/SECURITY TEAMS ABOARD MERCHANT VESSELS
REF: A. STOCKHOLM 295
B. STATE 45331
1. Jonatan Bergstrom Jurisoo, Desk Officer, Security Policy
Department, Peace Support Operations Section, the Swedish MFA
told post on May 26 that Sweden welcomes the efforts made by
the ship-owners and insurance companies regarding their work
with risk awareness, lessons learned and best practices. In
replying to questions 1-4, however, he stated that Sweden
supports the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
position, which strongly discourages the carrying and use of
firearms for personal protection or protection of a ship.
2. Bergstom Jurisoo stated that under the Swedish Weapons
Act, a license is required to possess firearms or ammunition,
and similarly to bring firearms or ammunition into Sweden.
Although there are a few exceptions to this Act that allow
military personnel operating within the framework of
international military cooperation or international crisis
management, there are no exceptions designed to meet the
questions the U.S. posed regarding armed guards aboard
merchant ships, he added. Bergstrom Jurisoo explained that
Sweden would require a license in "each individual case" to
bring firearms into the country. The Swedish police would
then review each application at the place where customs
clearance would take place or at the location where the
firearms would be brought into Sweden.
3. Regarding question 5 and the issue of how Swedish law
would view anyone "detained" by crews or armed security
teams, Bergstrom Jurisoo stressed that only Swedish
authorities are allowed to exercise official authority in
Sweden. Given certain conditions, he continued, any person
may make a citizen's arrest, but must then hand the
individual over to the nearest Swedish police officer. In
reply to question 6, the Swedish National Police Authority is
responsible for all such issues, Bergstom Jurisoo concluded.
4. The demarche was delivered to Jonatan Bergstrom Jurisoo,
Desk Officer, Security Policy Department, Peace Support
Operations Section, the Swedish MFA. Embassy Stockholm
contact is Deputy Economic Counselor Richard W. La Roche,
468-783-5326, larocherw@state.gov.
SILVERMAN