SWEDEN TO DOUBLE CONTRIBUTION TO EUPOL IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000440 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/20/2019 TAGS: PREL KDEM AF SW SUBJECT: SWEDEN TO DOUBLE CONTRIBUTION TO EUPOL IN AFGHANISTAN Classified By: CDA Robert J. Silverman for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Swedish officials are working to double Sweden's contribution to the EUPOL policing mission in Afghanistan to 20 personnel by the end of the year. Nils Daag, Swedish MFA Director for Security Policy, told visiting DASD James Townsend on July 17 that more and more, Swedes understand that "what happens there affects us here," so there is strong support within the government for the EUPOL mission. Daag's deputy Carl Magnus Eriksson told Pol Counselor earlier that the Swedish MFA and MOJ agreed to increase the number of Swedish police in the mission from 6 to 10 (with the number six already representing a doubling over the late spring, when there were still only three Swedish police in EUPOL). In addition, additional civilian experts will be sent for a total of ten, including lawyers and rule of law experts, by the end of the year. Eriksson was not sure, however, how far along the police were in the latest recruiting process, so these target numbers have not yet been made public. ¶2. (C) Sweden continues to demonstrate a long-term commitment to Afghanistan. It is strengthening its military presence by increasing the number of Swedish troops under ISAF command from 375 last year to roughly 450 now, and going to 500 by the end of the year. In addition, since May 15, a Swedish Air Force C-130 has been operating under ISAF HQ command. Swedish development aid has risen to some $63 million annually for each of the next three years, to be channeled to projects in democracy building, human rights, women's rights, and education. Of this aid, 25% will be programmed for work in northern Afghanistan where the Swedish-led PRT is located. "We had forgotten about the 'R' in "PRT," Daag told Townsend. ¶3. (C) Comment: Swedish Minister of Defense Sten Tolgfors is visiting Washington July 20. Thanking him for Sweden's expanding commitment in Afghanistan would help him and others in the government who support ongoing deployments. Moreover, Washington interlocutors may wish to urge that Sweden, as President of the EU during the next six months, lead EU efforts to staff fully the EUPOL mission. End Comment. SILVERMAN