DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSSES ISAF, KFOR WITH CDA

S E C R E T STOCKHOLM 000066

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2019
TAGS: PMIL AF BK XZ ZB SW
SUBJECT: DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSSES ISAF, KFOR WITH CDA

Classified By: CDA Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).


1. (S) On January 30, CDA, DAO and poloff met with Minister
of Defense Sten Tolgfors. CDA thanked Sweden for its
continued contributions to ISAF and KFOR and said the U.S.
supports expansion of Sweden's international military
operations. Tolgfors' points were:

-- ISAF: Tolgfors said possible areas for increased Swedish
support in Afghanistan include C-130s and OMLTs. The three
medevac helos already committed are delayed not for political
reasons, but for technical reasons.

-- Afghanistan Northern Transportation Routes: Tolgfors
expressed interest in any plans the U.S. has to expand
transportation/convoy routes in northern Afghanistan, based
on press reports of U.S. discussions with Russia and Central
Asia countries. Tolgfors is concerned about the potential
security impact such would have on Sweden's PRT in
Mazar-e-Sharif.

-- Nordic Defense Cooperation: Tolgfors repeatedly stressed
the importance of NDC and the potential it has to enhance
interoperability and capacity. He said NDC is "key for us in
the future" but it still must be developed fully. He looked
forward to EUCOM support.

-- AESA: When Tolgfors asked about the status of the radar,
CDA said the Department of Defense has given a green light to
develop an export version, though approval would depend on
the proposal developed by industry. Now industry must decide
if and how to proceed.

-- KFOR: There is a domestic political division over KFOR.
Tolgfors said the opposition Social Democrats wanted Sweden
to pull out its troops on January 1, 2009, but the governing
Alliance successfully pushed to prolong the deployment.
Tolgfors said more EU military and civil assistance is needed
in Kosovo, especially economic development to integrate with
the EU.

-- C-17 and A-400: The C-17 sharing agreement is a
"breakthrough in Sweden's cooperation with NATO" and the
structure should be applied to other fields of cooperation,
Tolgfors stated. Joint European military capacity-building
is important. He said many other Europeans are looking at
the A-400 for future use, as it would facilitate European
cooperation and increase tactical air lift capacity, an
increasingly important issue.

-- Baltic Air Policing: Tolgfors said the Czechs are using
the Gripen in their policing operations. Asked whether
Sweden might participate in the future, Tolgfors said Sweden
has "political problems" policing in the Baltic.

-- ESDP: Tolgfors said, "As the French EU presidency placed
importance on expanding European military capacity, so will
the Swedish presidency."


2. (C) Comment: Tolgfors hinted that improving military
capability is a principal goal in Sweden's international
cooperation, but we note that unfortunately it is sometimes
overshadowed by arguments over which national military
industry should get a contract.
SILVERMAN