SWEDEN'S INTERIM REPLY ON DRAFT MOU ON LIFE,

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000796 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS MARR PREL EAID AF SW SUBJECT: SWEDEN'S INTERIM REPLY ON DRAFT MOU ON LIFE, SECURITY AND MOBILITY SUPPORT REF: A. STATE 129187 ¶B. STOCKHOLM 750 ¶1. (SBU) On December 21, POL Counselor delivered ref A points to Carl Magnus Ericsson, Deputy Director of the MFA International Security Policy Department, and Cecilia Helander of the MOD Security Policy Department. Ericsson stated that Sweden very much welcomes Washington's general approach of expanding the USG presence in the Swedish PRT region. MFA, MOD and the Swedish Armed Forces are carefully studying the draft MOU "with the ambition of accommodating the expanded USG presence as much as possible." There are, however, certain issues that need further discussion and clarification, Ericsson said, including: --The request in MOU section VI part E for "outside the wire" force protection. This could be "one step too far" for the Swedish military, Helander stated. The Swedish Armed Forces will soon deliver a formal report on its ability to facilitate secure ground movements for the increased number of USG personnel, but MOD understands the preliminary finding to be that the 500 Swedish troops currently deployed in RC-North would not/not be able to take on the additional burdens entailed by a tripling or more of the USG civilian presence. --Another issue of concern, Ericsson said, is how the planned opening of U.S. Consulate Mazar and the increased staffing there affects earlier requests relayed in Mazar for Swedish support for 2-3 USG civilians in each of three proposed U.S. provincial offices in Saripol, Samangan and Jowzjan Provinces. Does the draft MOU cover the 8-10 USG civilians expected to come to Mazar only, or also the others going to the provincial offices? Space in Swedish facilities in the provincial offices is "very tight right now" but would be increasing next year. MFA and MOD are currently "looking at timetables" and expect to be in a position to accommodate and expanded USG presence in the provincial capitals at some point in the future. --The planned opening of a Turkish PRT in Jowzjan (ref B) will also impact the regional security and force protection responsibilities of Swedish troops, Ericsson stated (see septel). ¶2. (SBU) POL Counselor emphasized the importance of a timely response to the draft MOU. Ericsson said Sweden will have a formal reply early in the new year. Returning to the issue of proposed provincial offices, he said he understood that bilateral discussions will and ought to continue in Mazar and Kabul, but also emphasized that formal consultation in Stockholm should be part of the dialogue. "We really want to accommodate you, but the central government in Stockholm must be consulted," he stated. SILVERMAN