SWEDEN ON ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000750 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2019 TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR AF EUN SW SUBJECT: SWEDEN ON ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN REF: A. STOCKHOLM 749 ¶B. STOCKHOLM 741 ¶C. STATE 120807 ¶D. KABUL 3793 ¶E. STOCKHOLM 629 Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see para 4. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Parliament's smooth approval of legislation extending Sweden's military presence in Afghanistan through 2010 augurs well for a long-term troop presence, and there is strong support for a three-year, USD 170 million assistance package, Swedish MFA officials told Poloffs November 30. Sweden will announce a contribution of USD 900,000 for the ANA Trust Fund in a few days. Sweden welcomes the possibility of an expanding Turkish presence in the Swedish PRT but would like more details. Similarly, Stockholm would like to know more about USG plans for increased staffing in Mazar-e Sharif before approving a draft MOU presented to the Swedish PRT by U.S. officials in Mazar. Action request: Post would appreciate receiving a copy of the draft MOU and more information about USG plans for an expanded presence in the Swedish PRT region. End Summary. ¶3. (C) In a November 30 meeting with Carl Magnus Eriksson of the MFA International Security Policy Department, Poloffs delivered Ref C points, reinforcing what the Ambassador told Swedish FM Carl Bildt on November 24 (Ref A). Eriksson responded that: --The Swedish Parliament's approval of legislation extending the Swedish troop deployment in Afghanistan through 2010 went "smoother" than expected, and in the end enjoyed a bigger majority than predicted (Ref B). These facts augur well for Sweden's long-term military presence in Afghanistan. In addition, Sweden's planned three-year, USD 170 million assistance program enjoys strong Parliamentary and public support (Ref E). --Sweden will soon announce a contribution of approximately SEK 6 million (roughly USD 900,000) to the ANA Trust Fund, pending final agreement between the MFA and Ministry of Defense, which are jointly contributing. Eriksson acknowledged that the amount was not large, but still a "decent total number" from a small country already contributing some USD 60 million in development assistance this year. (Note: We understand that this contribution cannot come out of Sweden's large development assistance budget because of restrictions on military training.) --Sweden officially welcomes the possibility of Turkey launching a PRT in Jowzjan Province (Ref D) where the Swedes are currently active, though Stockholm would like more information about Turkish plans related to force protection and security in the province. President Karzai has reportedly approved a Turkish proposal involving 100 civilians and 100 troops and the Turkish parliament will debate the plan in January. --Similarly, Sweden welcomes the planned expansion of the USG presence in the Swedish PRT in Mazar-e Sharif, but Stockholm would appreciate hearing more about those plans. A draft MOU for housing and support for additional USG civilians has been presented to the Swedes in Mazar, with a request for approval this week. However, more time is needed for deliberation in Stockholm. "We need to coordinate and think through the practicalities of the U.S. plan to reinforce its presence," Eriksson stated. ¶4. (U) Action Request: Post would appreciate receiving a copy of the draft MOU along with details about USG plans for a consulate and expanded presence in the Swedish PRT region. BARZUN