Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM500
2009-08-11 15:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDISH EU PRESIDENCY'S PLANS FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
how-toVZCZCXRO9805 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHSM #0500 2231548 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 111548Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4613 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000500
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S/SRAP SAJIT GANDHI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH EU PRESIDENCY'S PLANS FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
MESSAGING
REF: A. STATE 83031
B. STATE 63551
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000500
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S/SRAP SAJIT GANDHI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH EU PRESIDENCY'S PLANS FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
MESSAGING
REF: A. STATE 83031
B. STATE 63551
1. The Swedish EU Presidency is working to develop an EU
statement -- "a political blessing" -- to be released in
conjunction with the August 20 elections in Afghanistan, MFA
Afghanistan Desk Director Mathias Otterstedt told Poloffs
August 11. Otterstedt, who had accompanied FM Bildt to
Afghanistan at the end of July, said three points will be
emphasized:
-- Credible elections represent a chance for the Afghan
people to take part in democracy;
-- Complaints of fraud and election irregularities will be
noted and taken seriously;
-- Afghanistan's election commission and other authorities
should act responsibly and in an unbiased manner.
Otterstedt indicated that these points could be coordinated
with U.S. messaging, if there were areas of overlap
(reftels). Otterstedt also said that a coordinated press
strategy by the U.S. and EU would be important before the EU
election observers made their first public reports, probably
on August 22. He suggested such coordination take place in
Brussels and Kabul, as well as in capitals.
2. Action Request: Post seeks Department guidance on Swedish
requests for a coordinated press strategy.
SILVERMAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR S/SRAP SAJIT GANDHI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH EU PRESIDENCY'S PLANS FOR AFGHAN ELECTION
MESSAGING
REF: A. STATE 83031
B. STATE 63551
1. The Swedish EU Presidency is working to develop an EU
statement -- "a political blessing" -- to be released in
conjunction with the August 20 elections in Afghanistan, MFA
Afghanistan Desk Director Mathias Otterstedt told Poloffs
August 11. Otterstedt, who had accompanied FM Bildt to
Afghanistan at the end of July, said three points will be
emphasized:
-- Credible elections represent a chance for the Afghan
people to take part in democracy;
-- Complaints of fraud and election irregularities will be
noted and taken seriously;
-- Afghanistan's election commission and other authorities
should act responsibly and in an unbiased manner.
Otterstedt indicated that these points could be coordinated
with U.S. messaging, if there were areas of overlap
(reftels). Otterstedt also said that a coordinated press
strategy by the U.S. and EU would be important before the EU
election observers made their first public reports, probably
on August 22. He suggested such coordination take place in
Brussels and Kabul, as well as in capitals.
2. Action Request: Post seeks Department guidance on Swedish
requests for a coordinated press strategy.
SILVERMAN