VZCZCXRO6003
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHSM #0709 3161216
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 121216Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4896
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L STOCKHOLM 000709 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2019 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EUN IR AF SW
SUBJECT: SWEDEN'S STATE SECRETARY SPILLS ON IRAN, ISRAEL, 
AND AFGHANISTAN 
 
Classified By: DCM Robert Silverman for reasons 1.4 (B) & (D). 
 
¶1. (C) Summary: On November 9, DCM and acting PolCouns met 
with State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Frank Belfrage, to 
review Swedish perspectives on the November 3-4 US-EU Summit. 
 Belfrage relayed EU thinking on Iran (expert level groups 
are in constant discussions on appropriate types of 
sanctions); Afghanistan (the next steps on the International 
Compact with Afghanistan); and the Palestinain-Israeli track 
(concern over potential for increasing violence). End Summary. 
 
-- Climate Change: Belfrage said Sweden's visit to Washington 
was "excellent" and PM Reinfeldt and President Obama were on 
the "same side" of the climate change argument, but have 
different political realities.  The Swedes, said Belfrage, 
know the President is "fully committed" to fighting climate 
change. 
 
-- Israel-Palestine Talks: The EU is "fully behind the U.S. 
and wants to support" the U.S.  The problem, Belfrage 
continued, is the EU is waiting for the U.S. to announce its 
next steps.  Sweden wants to renew the EU's contact in the 
region, and FM Bildt will have "further occasions" to visit 
Israel, though it is undecided when.  Moderate Arabs are 
growing increasingly impatient, frustrated and violent, he 
observed. 
 
-- Iran: Tehran has sent signals that it does not want the 
IAEA deal, Belfrage told the DCM.  Iran seems split between 
the hawks and doves, which makes it easier for the Iranians 
to say no than yes.  The DCM told a surprised and 
disappointed Belfrage that the complete IAEA report on the 
full inspection documents findings of serious concern. 
Belfrage said he was glad Russia is now considering UN 
sanctions, and reiterated Sweden's preference for the UN 
Security Council first to pass a resolution before autonomous 
sanctions are pursued.  All sanctions must be efficient and 
workable, he said, and Sweden generally questions sanctioning 
minerals, such as gemstones in Burma or petroleum products in 
Iran, because it is difficult to confirm the nation of 
origin.  Belfrage said the EU Council Secretariat and 
Commission are in "constant discussions" at the expert level 
over what type of sanctions should be used, although no 
member openly will discuss the specifics of sanctions at this 
point.  The British are likely to table something soon, he 
concluded. 
 
-- Afghanistan: A tough message needs to be delivered to 
President Karzai, Belfrage said, and the EU is currently 
pushing him to commit to reform in his inauguration speech, 
including anti-corruption and election reforms, and ask the 
international community for help.  This would lead to the 
International Compact with Afghanistan (ICA), held in Kabul, 
and an international proclamation of support of reforms.  The 
composition of the ICA would include about thirty countries 
derived from the UN's Joint Coordination and Monitoring 
Board.  Belfrage said the President and Reinfeldt, and FM 
Bildt and Deputy Secretary of State Steinberg have a "total 
convergence of views" on steps forward with the ICA. 
 
-- Slovenia-Croatia: The U.S. has its "hand in a hornets 
nest" with Slovenia and Croatia, Belfrage lamented, and the 
two are causing lots of problems for Sweden as well.  The 
ratification process for the agreement to submit the border 
dispute to arbitration will be "very messy", but the biggest 
step has already been taken: unblocking Croatia's EU 
accession.  Belfrage said the next long-term steps include 
establishing the procedures for arbitration and ensuring the 
decision of the arbitration tribunal not affect Croatia's EU 
membership. 
 
¶2. (C) Comment:  Belfrage underlined that Sweden appreciates 
the Washington reception during the November 3-4 U.S.-EU 
Summit, including the bilateral aspects. 
BARZUN