1. Nation: SWEDEN

   Support to the Global War on Terror:

   Sweden is committed to the fight on global terror. The Swedish Government views acts of terror as criminal offenses. Many of Sweden’s military actions are under the auspices of the United Nations or the European Union. All Swedish military engagements must have a mandate by the United Nations Security Council prior to approval by the Parliament and Government.

   The Swedish Armed Forces are committed to promoting peace and security in the world, to protect and assist the civilian population and, in times of crisis, to preserve the vital functions of Swedish society.

   Sweden has military personnel deployed to several locations within U.S. CENTCOM's Area of Responsibility (AOR). Most of the troops support the NATO-led operation in Afghanistan. There are a number of officers deployed as Military Observers with the United Nations: for instance India/Pakistan (UNMOGIP), Middle East (UNTSO) and Sudan (UNMIS). A few officers are deployed as Military Advisors from the European Union in support of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS).

   Sweden has maintained a military presence in the area since 1948 with military observers in the Middle East under the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). In 1956, Sweden deployed its first unit to the area – an infantry battalion to Gaza under United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF).

Support to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan:

Current engagements

Provincial Reconstruction Team in Mazar-e Sharif (PRT MeS), RC North:

Sweden has approximately 580 officers and soldiers at PRT MeS. The Headquarters is situated in Mazar-e-Sharif. Finland provides staff personnel and an infantry contingent  to PRT MeS. The Swedish contingent also has civilian advisors attached to PRT MeS.

Sweden is the lead nation with strong support from Finland as a coalition partner. PRT MeS is responsible for the provinces of northern Afghanistan: Balkh, Samangan and Sar-e Pol – and the security responsibility of the Jowzjan province.

Personnel from the Swedish Armed Forces also contribute to the training of the

Afghan National Army (ANA). This is done through the Operational and Mentoring Liaison Team (OMLT) to ANA. Sweden also has staff officers in RC-N and ISAF HQ, and a National Intelligence Cell (NIC) in Kabul.

The total number of Swedish troops in Afghanistan is approximately 600. 

Previous engagements

Sweden has had troops in ISAF operations since 2001:

•  Special Operation Forces.

•  Civil-Military Cooperation Teams (CIMIC) in Kabul until 2004.

•  Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and Military Observation Teams (MOT) to PRT MeS (Mazar-e Sharif, RC N) led by the United Kingdom from 2004 until March 2006.

•  Lead nation for PRT MeS (Mazar-e Sharif, RC N) from March 2006 to present

• Two 6-month-long deployments in 2004 and 2005 with one C-130 transport aircraft based at Termez Air Base in Uzbekistan. The deployments were carried out in close collaboration with the German Air Force.

Humanitarian Support to the people of Afghanistan:

Sweden remains a primary donor of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan with a focus on reconstruction and the peace process. Donations from the period of 2002-2004 totaled approximately $100 million dollars. Donations for the period of 2005-2007 are estimated to be another $100 million as well. During 2008, the donation is estimated to be $50 million..

Sweden provides bilateral humanitarian and reconstruction assistance with an emphasis on health care and primary education.

Sweden is currently assisting the Afghan administration, International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations in an effort to promote the long-term reconstruction of the country.

Swedish Liaison Office at USCENTCOM in Tampa:

The Swedish Liaison Office at U.S. CENTCOM was established in March 2002 and is manned by two officers:

Senior National Representative (Colonel/Navy Captain)

Liaison Officer (Major).

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

LINKS:

1. Swedish Fact Book:

Department of State: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2880.htm

Department of State: http://www.state.gov/p/eur/ci/sw/

2. Swedish Government:

Government Offices of Sweden : http://www.sweden.gov.se/

Ministry for Foreign Affairs: http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/2059

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency: http://www.sida.se/English/

3. Swedish Armed Forces:

Swedish Armed Forces: http://www.forsvarsmakten.se/en/

4. Additional Links:

The Official Gateway to Sweden: http://www.swede.se