Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10STOCKHOLM79
2010-02-19 15:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:
SWEDEN WELCOMES TURKISH "CIVILIAN PRT" BUT
how-toVZCZCXRO8255 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHSM #0079 0501509 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 191509Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5125 INFO RUCNAFG/AFGHANISTAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000079
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2020
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR AF TU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WELCOMES TURKISH "CIVILIAN PRT" BUT
CONCERNED OVER "SECURITY VACUUM"
REF: A. STOCKHOLM 77
B. ANKARA 221
C. 2009 STOCKHOLM 797
Classified By: POL Counselor Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000079
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2020
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR AF TU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WELCOMES TURKISH "CIVILIAN PRT" BUT
CONCERNED OVER "SECURITY VACUUM"
REF: A. STOCKHOLM 77
B. ANKARA 221
C. 2009 STOCKHOLM 797
Classified By: POL Counselor Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Sweden "welcomes" the Turkish civilian PRT (refs B and
C) but remains concerned about the creation of a "security
vacuum," Carl Magnus Eriksson, Deputy Director of the
Security Policy Department at the MFA, told Poloffs February
17 in a meeting on other topics (Ref A). Eriksson underlined
the need for a clear allocation of security responsibilities
in Jowzjan and Sar-e Pul, the provinces where the Turks plan
to operate. Concern over security remains high in both
Stockholm and Berlin, Eriksson noted, adding that Sweden is
also not happy with the Turkish plan to label itself as a
full PRT; either Turkey should act as such (and do security)
or operate under another title, he said.
2. (C) Sweden's goal now is for a meeting with the Turks and
the Germans in March in Brussels, at which all will sign an
MOU making clear who has security responsibility for the two
provinces, MFA Afghan Desk Officer Annelie Almkvist told
Poloff February 18. When asked, the Swedes said they did not
see "flexibility in the Turkish stance" and did not rule out
that the Turks would proceed with the PRT without a security
agreement.
3. (C) Sweden wants to continue to be the senior voice of the
PRT for external contacts, including with "the international
NGO community and local officials," Eriksson said. Sweden is
strongly inclined to appoint a senior civilian representative
to be in charge of all civilian activity in the PRT,
operating in parallel with the senior military officer. That
person should be the one who "speaks for the PRT." The
Swedes and the Turks are working on a letter of intent
focusing on the civilian aspect of cooperation, he added.
4. (C) Comment: The Swedes welcome additional civilian assets
in their PRT but are not at all happy with the Turk's stance
on security. We believe this concern over security is
slowing down Swedish decision-making with respect to our own
requested MOU on Life Support (Ref A).
BARZUN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2020
TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS MARR AF TU SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN WELCOMES TURKISH "CIVILIAN PRT" BUT
CONCERNED OVER "SECURITY VACUUM"
REF: A. STOCKHOLM 77
B. ANKARA 221
C. 2009 STOCKHOLM 797
Classified By: POL Counselor Marc Koehler for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) Sweden "welcomes" the Turkish civilian PRT (refs B and
C) but remains concerned about the creation of a "security
vacuum," Carl Magnus Eriksson, Deputy Director of the
Security Policy Department at the MFA, told Poloffs February
17 in a meeting on other topics (Ref A). Eriksson underlined
the need for a clear allocation of security responsibilities
in Jowzjan and Sar-e Pul, the provinces where the Turks plan
to operate. Concern over security remains high in both
Stockholm and Berlin, Eriksson noted, adding that Sweden is
also not happy with the Turkish plan to label itself as a
full PRT; either Turkey should act as such (and do security)
or operate under another title, he said.
2. (C) Sweden's goal now is for a meeting with the Turks and
the Germans in March in Brussels, at which all will sign an
MOU making clear who has security responsibility for the two
provinces, MFA Afghan Desk Officer Annelie Almkvist told
Poloff February 18. When asked, the Swedes said they did not
see "flexibility in the Turkish stance" and did not rule out
that the Turks would proceed with the PRT without a security
agreement.
3. (C) Sweden wants to continue to be the senior voice of the
PRT for external contacts, including with "the international
NGO community and local officials," Eriksson said. Sweden is
strongly inclined to appoint a senior civilian representative
to be in charge of all civilian activity in the PRT,
operating in parallel with the senior military officer. That
person should be the one who "speaks for the PRT." The
Swedes and the Turks are working on a letter of intent
focusing on the civilian aspect of cooperation, he added.
4. (C) Comment: The Swedes welcome additional civilian assets
in their PRT but are not at all happy with the Turk's stance
on security. We believe this concern over security is
slowing down Swedish decision-making with respect to our own
requested MOU on Life Support (Ref A).
BARZUN