SWEDISH RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION

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