press conference by sweden’s prime minister

Wars could start without United Nations support, but could not end that way, Göran Persson, Prime Minister of Sweden, said at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon.

He made the comment while briefing correspondents on his meeting today with Secretary-General Kofi Annan.  That meeting had focused on three themes – namely, the situation in Iraq, the state of the Middle East, and the Stockholm summit on genocide.

Regarding Iraq, he said Sweden had always been a loyal Member of the United Nations and would, therefore, respect the Organization’s resolutions.  Nevertheless, he did not foresee the presence of Swedish troops in Iraq, especially since they were already serving in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Liberia.  Humanitarian aid, on the other hand, was a different matter, and Sweden would probably continue its role as a donor.

Acknowledging that everyone understood the complications behind the present situation in Iraq, he expressed an interest in hearing United States President George W. Bush’s opinion on multilateral methods to solve the conflict.  Sweden had been voicing support for multilateralism as a solution to the Iraq crisis for more than a year, he said.

Turning to the Middle East, he said he had asked the Secretary-General if there was still support for the Road Map, especially in light of the recent meeting between Mr. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.  Mr. Annan had responded that there was still hope for the Road Map.

Following up on the Stockholm summit on genocide, he discussed with Mr. Annan the appointment of a special adviser on genocide and had received assurances that a name would be suggested before the summer.  Mr. Persson added that the designation of such an official would be welcomed throughout the world.

Questioned about the visit of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to Brussels for talks with the European Union, he expressed surprise, but declined to comment on the decision of Belgian authorities to allow such a visit.  He did stress, however, that he would not have invited Mr. Gaddafi to Sweden.

Asked about how the United States might get more international support for its operation in Iraq, he said the United States should first respect United Nations structures.  It should also provide the necessary security protection required by United Nations staff, especially since it was the only country, along with the United Kingdom perhaps, that could offer such a security guarantee.  He also advised the United States to show more political cooperation with the United Nations, so that the new transitional government in Iraq would be adequately prepared to organize elections and win the support of its people’s hearts and minds.

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