Swedish opposition wants to begin troop withdrawal from Afghanistan
Aug 27, 2010, 12:15 GMT


Stockholm - Sweden's red-green opposition said Friday it will begin to withdraw troops from Afghanistan during 2011 - if it wins next month's general elections.

The leaders of the opposition Social Democrats, Left Party and Greens said in a joint statement that 'further reductions will continue during the government's term of office as Afghan authorities take more responsibility for security.'

The Swedish withdrawal would be completed during the first half of 2013, the opposition said, adding that Sweden would subsequently focus on civilian aid.

'Our strategy is in line with the international strategy that a withdrawal (from Afghanistan) will be gradual,' Social Democrat leader Mona Sahlin told reporters.

The troop withdrawal would also hinge on the overall security situation in Afghanistan, the opposition said.

Foreign Minister Carl Bildt told reporters he was 'not prepared' to sign on to the opposition's assessment or set a 2013 deadline.

'Afghanistan is perhaps the most arduous mission since the Balkans,' Bildt said, noting that Swedish forces are still deployed in that region.

The Swedish parliament in 2009 approved that at most 885 Swedish troops could be deployed in Afghanistan. A 500-strong force has been deployed to date. The 2009 decision was backed by the Social Democrats and the Greens.

The September 19 elections pit incumbent Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt's centre-right coalition against the left-wing opposition led by Sahlin.


http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1580459.php/Swedish-opposition-wants-to-begin-troop-withdrawal-from-Afghanistan


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