SWEDISH RESPONSE TO SUDAN STRATEGY

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000687 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/USSES:OCLARK AND EUR/WE ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SU SW SUBJECT: SWEDISH RESPONSE TO SUDAN STRATEGY REF: STATE 109669 ¶1. (U) Poloff shared reftel points with Fredrik Folkunger, Desk Officer, Department of West Africa and the Horn of Africa on November 3. Folkunger expressed enthusiasm for the new U.S. Sudan strategy and emphasized that the Swedes "see no real divergent opinions" in the text. Sweden supports cooperation both on Darfur and CPA implementation and calls for strengthening of the justice system, but they recognize that the particular mechanism for justice should be in the hands of the Sudanese. According to Folkunger, health and education are main Swedish development priorities. Ahead of elections next year, there is also interest in supporting a safe electoral process. Current Swedish development cooperation amounts to about $28 million and humanitarian assistance is set at $38 million. This work is carried out primarily in the South. ¶2. (U) Folkunger reiterated the continued interest, not only by the Swedes but also by the EU, in hosting Special Envoy Scott Gration at a Political and Security Council (PSC) meeting in Brussels. Folkunger said that the Swedes will reach out through their Embassy in Washington about arranging such a visit. BARZUN