Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM713
2009-11-13 10:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDISH SOLDIERS CRITICALLY INJURED IN AFGHANISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO7293 PP RUEHIK DE RUEHSM #0713 3171055 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 131055Z NOV 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4901 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000713
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH SOLDIERS CRITICALLY INJURED IN AFGHANISTAN
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000713
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH SOLDIERS CRITICALLY INJURED IN AFGHANISTAN
1. On November 11, five Swedish soldiers on patrol west of
Mazar-e-Sharif were injured by an IED roadside bomb; their local
interpreter died. Two of the soldiers suffered life-threatening
injuries. The attack is the most serious for Swedish troops since
November 2005, when two lieutenants were killed by a roadside bomb.
FM Bildt, whose visit to Kabul coincided with the attack, said the
Swedish troops were working as part of a wider operation involving
Afghan forces, and the attack was not directed at Swedish forces.
2. Comment: The opposition Social Democratic Party supports
continued operations in Afghanistan through 2010. However, the new
attack has caused the Social Democrats to request that the 2011
Swedish Afghan strategy include scenarios both for a responsible
withdrawal and a continued presence. Each causality that Sweden
incurs increases the chance that Sweden will seriously consider a
responsible withdrawal if the Swedish Democratic Party retakes the
government in 2010.
BARZUN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL SW
SUBJECT: SWEDISH SOLDIERS CRITICALLY INJURED IN AFGHANISTAN
1. On November 11, five Swedish soldiers on patrol west of
Mazar-e-Sharif were injured by an IED roadside bomb; their local
interpreter died. Two of the soldiers suffered life-threatening
injuries. The attack is the most serious for Swedish troops since
November 2005, when two lieutenants were killed by a roadside bomb.
FM Bildt, whose visit to Kabul coincided with the attack, said the
Swedish troops were working as part of a wider operation involving
Afghan forces, and the attack was not directed at Swedish forces.
2. Comment: The opposition Social Democratic Party supports
continued operations in Afghanistan through 2010. However, the new
attack has caused the Social Democrats to request that the 2011
Swedish Afghan strategy include scenarios both for a responsible
withdrawal and a continued presence. Each causality that Sweden
incurs increases the chance that Sweden will seriously consider a
responsible withdrawal if the Swedish Democratic Party retakes the
government in 2010.
BARZUN