Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM711
2009-11-12 13:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDISH GOSSIP ON NEW EU POSITIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO6057 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHSM #0711 3161315 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121315Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4898 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000711
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH GOSSIP ON NEW EU POSITIONS
Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000711
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH GOSSIP ON NEW EU POSITIONS
Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).
1. (C) On November 11, Swedish Deputy EU Correspondent Jonas
Wendel gave acting PolCouns the Swedish scoop on the wheeling
and dealing for new positions in Brussels. Reinfeldt has
already spoken with each EU Member State and the announcement
of the November 19 extraordinary meeting is an indication
that he has in mind candidates for both the Council President
and High Representative for Union of Foreign Affairs.
President and High Rep
--------------
2. (C) Prime Minister Reinfeldt and his State Secretary
Gustav Lind are the only EU Presidency officials involved
with selecting a President and High Representative for the
Union of Foreign Affairs (HR). Wendel said Swedish politics
are not a factor; Reinfeldt is focusing on creating the right
job descriptions and then finding appropriate candidates, not
the reverse. The job description for the President
emphasizes good managerial skills with attention to detail,
and strong connections to Brussels (and the intention to stay
in Brussels). Wendel said this excludes candidates such as
Tony Blair and Carl Bildt. The HR position is almost all
political, so the candidate must have great international
connections, and be well-respected as a politico. Wendel
said an effort will be made to find a balance between
left/right and big/small, but not necessarily male/female.
Germany "holds the key" and while it will not get one of the
two big posts, it will be "rewarded" with good a Commission
dossier and heavy senior official posts.
Swedish Commissioner
--------------
3. (C) For Sweden's Commissioner, Reinfeldt will nominate a
candidates from his own party, the Moderates. That excludes
Cecilia Malmstrom, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, from the
Liberal Party. Bildt is still in the running domestically
(and quietly),but any dossier he would take must include a
mandate to draft and impose laws. Economic and trade-related
portfolios are the most likely for Bildt--if Reinfeldt can
convince Barroso. Comment: Enlargement is politically
unlikely due to Bildt's over-enthusiasm for relative to other
EU officials. End Comment.
BARZUN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH GOSSIP ON NEW EU POSITIONS
Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D).
1. (C) On November 11, Swedish Deputy EU Correspondent Jonas
Wendel gave acting PolCouns the Swedish scoop on the wheeling
and dealing for new positions in Brussels. Reinfeldt has
already spoken with each EU Member State and the announcement
of the November 19 extraordinary meeting is an indication
that he has in mind candidates for both the Council President
and High Representative for Union of Foreign Affairs.
President and High Rep
--------------
2. (C) Prime Minister Reinfeldt and his State Secretary
Gustav Lind are the only EU Presidency officials involved
with selecting a President and High Representative for the
Union of Foreign Affairs (HR). Wendel said Swedish politics
are not a factor; Reinfeldt is focusing on creating the right
job descriptions and then finding appropriate candidates, not
the reverse. The job description for the President
emphasizes good managerial skills with attention to detail,
and strong connections to Brussels (and the intention to stay
in Brussels). Wendel said this excludes candidates such as
Tony Blair and Carl Bildt. The HR position is almost all
political, so the candidate must have great international
connections, and be well-respected as a politico. Wendel
said an effort will be made to find a balance between
left/right and big/small, but not necessarily male/female.
Germany "holds the key" and while it will not get one of the
two big posts, it will be "rewarded" with good a Commission
dossier and heavy senior official posts.
Swedish Commissioner
--------------
3. (C) For Sweden's Commissioner, Reinfeldt will nominate a
candidates from his own party, the Moderates. That excludes
Cecilia Malmstrom, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, from the
Liberal Party. Bildt is still in the running domestically
(and quietly),but any dossier he would take must include a
mandate to draft and impose laws. Economic and trade-related
portfolios are the most likely for Bildt--if Reinfeldt can
convince Barroso. Comment: Enlargement is politically
unlikely due to Bildt's over-enthusiasm for relative to other
EU officials. End Comment.
BARZUN