VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #2174/01 1950811
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 130811Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8286
INFO RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM PRIORITY 0035

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002174 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2018 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PREF SW IZ ASEC
SUBJECT: SWEDISH AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ ON T-WALLS, PROGRESS OF 
THE BAGHDAD EMBASSY, AND COOPERATION ON SECURITY ISSUES 
 
REF: A. (A) STOCKHOLM 482 
     ¶B. (B) BAGHDAD 01852 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: In a July 5 meeting, Swedish Ambassador to 
Iraq (resident in Amman) Niclas Trouve accepted Ambassador 
Crocker,s apology for the manner in which the transportation 
of a generator through the Swedish Embassy,s construction 
site in Baghdad was handled.  He provided an update on 
ongoing construction there, predicting completion of the 
project in the spring, with a possible first occupancy of 
part of the compound by the end of 2008.  Because of this 
construction progress, additional convoy movements of large 
equipment past the compound seem very unlikely, according to 
Ambassador Trouve.  He welcomed future cooperation on 
security issues.  End Summary. 
 
Event at the barriers of the Swedish Compound 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) Ambassador Crocker apologized for the event on June 
28 when two sets of barrier walls that were part of the 
Swedish Embassy perimeter barrier were removed to allow for 
the passage of a convoy (ref A).  The convoy was carrying 
several very large generators that had transited the 
International Zone (IZ) as part of a Ministry of Electricity 
contract to provide power generation capability outside of 
Baghdad.  Ambassador Trouve accepted the apology and noted 
that the Swedes should have informed us that the site was 
under construction.  He noted that he would meet with the GOIQzr8Q7xQQYQp they 
know that construction has 
started, that it is Swedish Embassy property, and that under 
the Vienna conventions is inviolable. 
 
¶3.  (C) Ambassador Trouve said that future changes to the 
perimeter walls, and even temporary access, would be 
difficult as they were part of the overall security for the 
building site to give as much setback as possible, and 
particularly important since the site is outside of the IZ. 
He noted that if they needed to move the perimeter for later 
convoy movements, it would likely stall completion of the 
construction project by 6 months.  He also suggested other 
routes might be possible, including around the compound or 
through the adjoining park.  Finally, he pointed out that the 
GOS wanted to appear neutral here and does not want to be 
seen by Iraqis as too closely related to U.S. moves. 
¶4.  (C) In response, Ambassador Crocker described the 
substantial logistical hurdles we have faced in trying to 
move the generators.  We will need to continue working on a 
solution that will allow us to move the remaining generators 
to their destination. 
 
Swedish Embassy Update 
---------------------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Ambassador Trouve provided an update on the status of 
construction of the Swedish Embassy compound located adjacent 
to the Baghdad Zoo.  Under the supervision of a German 
architect, they are still on track to complete the project in 
early spring 2009.  In order to provide as much set back as 
possible, they have now installed, or are in the process of 
installing, new T-walls that further reduce the width of the 
street and a chicane to slow incoming traffic in order to 
protect the entrance to the property.  He promised that when 
the security situation improves, the street will eventually 
be reopened. 
 
¶6.  (C) There are three main buildings planned for the 
compound: a chancery, a residence, and a guard force 
building.  Eventually this third building will be used for a 
consular section, commercial section, or some other use.  If 
renovation of the first building is complete by the end of 
the year, they may move in then.  The GOS already has an 
arrangement for use of office space inside the IZ with the UK 
Control Risk Group that provides them security, so they can 
say that they have a permanent office here already. 
Completion of the larger compound outside the IZ not only 
will allow them to increase their staff on the ground, but is 
also setting an example for other countries.  Sweden may 
offer space there to the Norwegian and Finnish 
representatives to Baghdad. 
 
Request for Security Support 
---------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (C) As a follow-on to the request reported in Ref B, 
Ambassador Trouve was very thankful for our offer of support 
for Quick Reaction Force (QRF), medevac, and other security 
assistance.  Noting that Sweden will take over EU presidency 
from the Czechs starting on July 1, 2009, it is likely that 
all of these EU members will want to meet at the new Swedish 
 
embassy in Baghdad.  Also including high ranking Iraqis at 
this and other meetings might be a very tempting target. 
 
¶8.  (C) Ambassador Crocker offered options for coordination 
on QRF, saying that  JASG can coordinate with the battle 
space owner to establish a plan.  He also offered that the 
Embassy has its own assets that may be able to assist in 
emergencies in much the same way we did when the Polish 
Ambassador,s convoy was attacked, saying that we would 
continue to make every effort to support the GOS through 
military and diplomatic security efforts.  This might include 
security assessments, use of our Tactical Operations Center 
as a type of 911 service, and a communications network among 
security officers of partner diplomatic missions. 
 
¶9.  (C) When asked for a point of contact to continue work on 
these issues and to put them in touch with the Surgeon 
General at the Combat Support Hospital to help facilitate a 
future MOA, Ambassador Trouve suggested his deputy.  However, 
since she is not resident in Baghdad, he instead requested a 
follow-on program and meetings to work through the specifics. 
 Ambassador Crocker agreed and asked for enough advance 
notice to set this up.  In the meantime, the Embassy will 
provide something in writing that more specifically 
delineates the type of assistance we might be able to 
provide. 
CROCKER