SWEDES WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A REVIEW OF 1267

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000338 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON KTFN PARM PREL PHUM SW SUBJECT: SWEDES WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR A REVIEW OF 1267 LISTING AND DELISTING PROCEDURES ¶1. (SBU) Swedish MFA Sanctions Coordinator Per Saland told us on June 1 that Sweden will continue to work to improve UNSC 1267 sanctions during its EU Presidency. Saland commented that while UN 1822, which introduced narrative summaries and improved information-sharing, was a "good start," a number of challenges remain, including full and proper implementation of the resolution. He stated that Sweden, along with a number of other like-minded countries, still favors establishing an independent body or expert panel to help address concerns about a reviewing mechanism. Individuals and entities when notified about a listing have a right to see the information and evidence used to support the listing. "It's a basic human right," Saland stated. He also emphasized the need for a review of listed names, preferably every two years. Saland said the number of like-minded countries was increasing and might expand to include Norway and Romania. ¶2. (SBU) As regards the Swedish-based branch of Al-Barakaat, Saland maintained that while Sweden had requested access to the evidence regarding Al-Barakaat, it had not formally requested delisting of the organization, and that the organization does not appear to be operating any longer. He said that approximately $95,000 in assets remains frozen, but that these funds would probably be redistributed to the original individuals who contributed to Al-Barakaat should the organization be de-listed. Tomas Olsson, the attorney representing the Al-Barakaat lawsuit, is something of a "sensational TV attorney," Saland observed. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Normally loquacious and open in his meetings with us, Saland this time carefully stuck to what almost appeared to be a rehearsed script. He avoided answering specific questions about how far Sweden and other like-minded countries are prepared to go in pushing for a review of the 1267 procedures and continued to defer to EU discussions that recently took place in The Hague. SILVERMAN