SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

DCA Criticism: "A Direct Threat to All Swedes"

That the DCA agreement gives the USA the opportunity to place nuclear weapons on Swedish soil is a historic turnaround, according to several critics. This creates a direct threat to all Swedes, says diplomat Rolf Ekéus.

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 16:49

» Published: 18 June 2024

DCA Criticism: "A Direct Threat to All Swedes"
Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

The DCA agreement gives the USA the opportunity to place nuclear weapons on Swedish soil, which is a historic turnaround, according to several critics.

This creates a direct threat to all Swedes, says diplomat Rolf Ekéus.

Membership in NATO put an end to Sweden's neutrality policy. But as we now seek to find its practical forms, drastic changes are also being implemented, according to Rolf Ekéus, a long-standing diplomat and former head of the UN's weapons inspectors in Iraq.

He is one of those who is critical of the cooperation agreement that will give the USA access to 17 Swedish military bases.

Of course, negotiations with the USA, as the leading power, can arise, but we must carefully weigh the content of the commitment to being part of NATO, he says, adding that "the big concern" is the nuclear dimension.

If we decide to base nuclear weapons on our territory, which I guess is aimed at Russia, we radically increase the risk of a nuclear attack on Sweden.

Losing credibility

Until recently, Sweden has had a leading role internationally in the work against nuclear weapons, in cooperation with the UN, emphasizes Rolf Ekéus. He questions why we do not have a clause against nuclear weapons on our territory, like Norway has. Overall, Ekéus thinks the agreement is surrounded by many uncertainties.

Dan Smith, head of the peace research institute Sipri, agrees.

The process has not been as complete as it could and should have been, he says.

Dan Smith believes that the USA might potentially bring nuclear weapons during military exercises – but that it would only be for a limited time. He thinks, however, that Sweden's voice as a nuclear power opponent has been weakened.

It is not logically incompatible to be under the nuclear umbrella and want a nuclear-free world. But the voices that demand it have probably more credibility among other UN members if they themselves are not under the nuclear umbrella.

"More diplomacy"

In the new security policy situation, many emphasize that constructive diplomacy no longer helps. Peace researcher Dan Smith disagrees.

It should be the first line of defense and therefore one of the most important contributions to security and real peace, he says.

He also believes that small and medium-sized powers have every opportunity to demand disarmament, and that they can cool down the heated relations between the great powers.

If the great powers cannot, the small powers must step forward and apply the right pressure. This is actually a time when there should be more diplomacy, not less.

The government believes that the agreement strengthens deterrence and stability, and emphasizes that it is based on Swedish sovereignty and consent.

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) has pointed out that no country can be forced to accept nuclear weapons against its will, and that Sweden's stance of not allowing nuclear weapons on Swedish soil in peacetime is well-known and has been respected. Recently, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the question of nuclear weapons may be reconsidered in wartime.

The USA has concluded similar agreements with several other countries, including Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic states, and Poland.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

After harsh criticism – C calls crisis meeting
2 MIN READ

After harsh criticism – C calls crisis meeting

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note
1 MIN READ

Town Hall Evacuated Due to Threatening Note

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice
1 MIN READ

The Government appoints new Chancellor of Justice

The Liberals' office attacked: "Despicable"
2 MIN READ

The Liberals' office attacked: "Despicable"

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö
1 MIN READ

Three charged with thermos bomb in Malmö

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"
1 MIN READ

Kristersson: "Close dialogue with other countries"

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms
1 MIN READ

The Social Democrats want answers about stopped wind farms

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant
1 MIN READ

Two charged with fatal shooting at restaurant

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"
1 MIN READ

Power Outage in Court: "Sitting in Darkness"

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable
1 MIN READ

The Navy investigates sabotage on another cable

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.
3 MIN READ

The parties behind the Tidö agreement want a cap on the size of children's groups.

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship
1 MIN READ

Åkesson: Total Stop for Citizenship

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children
1 MIN READ

Man arrested for new sex crimes against children

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm
1 MIN READ

Five detained after explosion on Östermalm

Further No to Offshore Wind Power
1 MIN READ

Further No to Offshore Wind Power

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen
1 MIN READ

Investigation launched after report against Dumpen

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable
2 MIN READ

Proposal for Climate Agreement Slammed: Unacceptable

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.
1 MIN READ

Four out of ten houses have deficiencies in fire protection.

New severe weather warning: "Really chaotic"
2 MIN READ

New severe weather warning: "Really chaotic"