Cablegate: Sweden's Interim Reply On Draft Mou On Life,

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OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSM #0796 3571006
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 231006Z DEC 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL IMMEDIATE 0106
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5018
INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0156
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RUEHUP/AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST PRIORITY 0079
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0518
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 2205
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 2550
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0001
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0309
RUEHPG/AMEMBASSY PRAGUE PRIORITY 0964
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME PRIORITY 0398
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 3823
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS PRIORITY 2028
RUEHWR/AMEMBASSY WARSAW PRIORITY 2385
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0001
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY

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

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