Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM553
2009-08-28 13:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

SWEDISH RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION

Tags:  KNNP AORC ENRG MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA SW 
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PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHSM #0553/01 2401325
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 281325Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4670
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 000553 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN/MNSA (SDAVIS AND WALBERQUE),GENEVA (CD),
UNVIE (IAEA, USUN (POL),USNATO (POL) AND USEU (POL)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2019
TAGS: KNNP AORC ENRG MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION
TREATY (NPT) REVIEW CONFERENCE 2010 REPORTING REQUEST

REF: A. STOCKHOLM 509

B. STATE 83600

Classified By: Economic Counselor Laura Kirkconnell for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STOCKHOLM 000553

SIPDIS

STATE FOR ISN/MNSA (SDAVIS AND WALBERQUE),GENEVA (CD),
UNVIE (IAEA, USUN (POL),USNATO (POL) AND USEU (POL)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2019
TAGS: KNNP AORC ENRG MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION
TREATY (NPT) REVIEW CONFERENCE 2010 REPORTING REQUEST

REF: A. STOCKHOLM 509

B. STATE 83600

Classified By: Economic Counselor Laura Kirkconnell for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On August 25, Emboffs discussed reftel points
regarding the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) review
conference with Deputy General Director Christer Ahlstrom and
Deputy Director Asa Gustafsson Department for Disarmament and
Non-Proliferation at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
(MFA).


2. (C) Ahlstrom commented that Sweden was "very positive"
toward the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT),the
Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT),the NPT and U.S.
Russian arms control efforts and added that Sweden wants to
strengthen multilateral institutions. He stated that the new
U.S. administration has demonstrated a will to act, and said
that the Swedish and U.S. positions regarding
nonproliferation differ very little. Gustafsson noted that
the EU will need to update its common position on nuclear
weapons before May 2010, and that the EU position is "usually
the lowest common denominator." Joining the EU changed
Sweden's views as we now have to try to reach consensus, she
opined. Ahlstrom told us that that first avenue for nuclear
disarmament is the EU, but that Sweden also works with other
countries to achieve this goal. Which countries Sweden works
with depends on the particular issue at hand. Ahlstrom and
Gustafsson told us that they feel the French tend to drive
NPT issues in the EU, while the Germans provide an important
counterweight to the French as well as to the British.


3. (C) Ahlstrom commented that Sweden is heavily engaged in
the CTBT, and that Sweden supports the common EU position.
Gustafsson noted that Sweden wants "early engagement" and

fully supports the U.S. position on this matter. She also
said that Sweden would like to "help the U.S. out, so please
tell us what we can do." Ahlstrom told us that Foreign
Minister Carl Bildt plans to attend the Article 14 conference
and expressed hope that the U.S. would attend with high-level
delegates as well.


4. (C) Gustafsson called the new U.S. position regarding the
FMCT "very good," adding that there is now a good chance to
move forward on the issue although problems remain with
Pakistan. Sweden is completely in favor of the treaty, but
the EU view differs slightly, Gustafsson opined. Ahlstrom
pointed out the importance of maintaining forward momentum on
this issue, and added that Sweden attaches considerable
weight to obtaining a successful outcome. "We need to keep
things moving in the right direction, and Sweden will work
hard during its EU Presidency to formulate an appropriate EU
position," Ahlstrom said.


5. (C) The MFA's Department for Disarmament and
Non-Proliferation is responsible for export control issues in
terms of policy, legislation and international negotiations.
Gustafsson and Ahlstrom cited FM Bildt and themselves
(Christer Ahlstrom and Asa Gustafsson) as the key Swedish MFA
people involved in nuclear arms control and nonproliferation
decision-making. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority
(SRSA) and the Inspectorate for Strategic Products (ISP) are
two other important Swedish agencies active in this area.
The SRSA handles licensing issues regarding exports of
nuclear products, while the ISP is responsible for liscensing
issues regarding exports of of other dual-use products and
military equipment.


6. (C) The Swedish missions in Geneva, Vienna, Brussels, the
Hague and New York all work on these issues. The staffing at
these missions is as follows:

- Geneva Mission: Ambassador Magnus Hellgren (Disarmament);
Anna-Karin Holm; and Maria Harrysson (EU Presidency extra),
- Embassy Vienna: Fredrik Lojdquist (CTBT); Annie Sturesson
(EU Presidency extra); and Elisabeth Hellstrom (EU Presidency
extra),
- Brussels Mission: Carl Hartzell and Anna Strempel (EU
Presidency extra),
- Embassy Hague: Jan Lodding (OPCW, Chemical weapons),
- New York Mission: Niclas Kvarnstrom (UN-related disarmament
issues); Hannes Berts, (EU Presidency extra); and Madelene
Sundstrom (EU Presidency extra).

These individuals have been delegated decision-making powers
for everything but major issues, according to Gustafsson.
The Swedish MFA sends out extra personnel when needed.
Ahlstrom told us that key decision-making individuals from

STOCKHOLM 00000553 002 OF 002


Stockholm normally attend major conferences, are well briefed
and require little additional guidance from Stockholm.


7. (C) The Swedish nuclear power industry is primarily
focused on provision of fuel issues and has little influence
on policy and decision-making, according to Ahlstrom.
Swedish academia and NGOs have little impact, according to
Gustafsson. She added that the MFA briefs NGOs before and
after major conferences to provide transparency, but NGOs
have more influence when it comes to conventional weapons.


8. (C) An important part of Swedish foreign policy involves
safeguarding existing treaties and agreements. Sweden
continues to work, especially within the EU, to encourage
countries to accede to existing treaties and to persuade a
sufficient number of countries to ratify treaties, such as
the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Sweden normally
votes as the other Nordic countries vote on these issues
except where EU membership (Norway not being a member) or
NATO membership (Norway being a member) prevents the Nordics
from voting as a block.
BARZUN