[Australia]: Message to Sweden [SEC=PROTECTED]

[Owen]

​

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS​

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: PROTECTED (Encrypted)​

17 December 1999​

Dear Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, I would like to formally turn a new chapter on our relationship. We are willing to, after the loss of the court battle, to put the Antarctic issue finally to rest and see ways forward in cooperating in areas such as the Middle East and beyond. We have made the point time and time again that Sweden and Australia share a lot more in common than they do in adversity and that only Antarctica was standing in our way. With our government's avenues for the return of Antarctic territory now shrinking to nothing we see no purpose in maintaining hostility towards Sweden. I wish to have a meeting with you at Parliament House at your earliest convenience. Yours sincerely, Kevin Rudd.

Parliament House, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Telephone: (02) 6277 7700​

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Connor

 

[Connor]

Confirmation was sent by means of a memorandum to the Minister of Foreign Affairs before the Ambassador would travel to Parliament House via a local taxi cab service to minimise his footprint in the public domain - particularly after two terror attacks has occurred in Swedish-occupied territory in the recent week and both incidents targeting foreign diplomats. Notice had been sent by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm via all bureaus that maximum security principles should be applied, where appropriate, pending a full review of diplomatic protection worldwide.

Nonetheless the Ambassador would be in possession of his usual black conference folder emblazoned with the Swedish coat of arms and the world 'DIPLOMATIC BAG'. Immediately upon arrival at Parliament House he would present himself to security with his diplomatic passport, informing them of the arranged meeting with the Minister.

Owen

 

[Owen]

Once arriving at Parliament House, the Ambassador would be taken through security which included a metal detector and an x-ray machine. Once he was cleared of any dangerous material he was escorted to the Foreign Minister's office. The Minister would greet him at the door.

"Mr. Ambassador, it's a pleasure to see you. Please take a seat." He would show him a seat, water would be set up on the coffee table.

"Now I must start by saying we have full faith in your government to conduct an operation into what happened at Stockholm Airport and to return the bodies, once retrieved, in due course. Of course my condolences go out to any Swedish people killed in the attack, though I haven't had any confirmation of that."

Connor

 

[Connor]

The Ambassador would of course comply with any security checks before walking through to the office and taking a seat as indicated, upon sitting down he would unbutton his jacket, lay his folder onto the table and lean back to discuss the agenda presented.

"Minister, thank you for having me. Yes, the situation in Stockholm is on grave concern and we're rapidly receiving information from our allies around the world, surprisingly, which is adding to the bigger picture of a planned and sustained attack against Sweden by a foreign government. The Prime Minister intends to make a statement once all the information has been collated but at this stage we are treating this as a terror attack and at least two persons involved are in police custody. Thus far we have at least four people confirmed deceased from the wreckage of an aircraft which I understand to be that of the Royal Australian Air Force - of course we will arrange the repatriation of any confirmed Australian nationals but my understanding is that the police are having difficulty identifying the deceased, I wonder if a representative from the diplomatic mission could arrange this? Assumptions can be made but that won't hold up in court... we need formal identification, preferably from a family member or a member from your mission. But yes, early reports indicate that the attacks in Stockholm and Cape Town are linked."

Owen

 

[Owen]

"Well it's quite possible the bodies are burnt beyond any recognition yes? This sounds more like a task for forensic scientists, I will attempt to get the dental records of the people who were onboard that plane so you can confirm their identity that way, but obviously I don't want to send family members over to identify bodies which have been burnt to a crisp.

That would be concerning if they are linked, do you know who caused Cape Town?"

Connor

 

[Connor]

"Yes, you are right, I respect the need for the family to retain a dignified image of the deceased and a long-haul flight to see a burned relative probably isn't the best for their mental health and wellbeing. If you could have dental records sent to the National Security Office that would be a brilliant step forward to progressing the investigation.

At present the two offenders identified and arrested in Cape Town were in possession of Congolese government identification have just alight a jet chartered for a diplomatic visit. Whilst that situation is slightly outside of my remit I understand they they executed the Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs in the middle of Arrivals. Fortunately armed response officers were able to intercept and a short standoff saw to their safe detention.

I have to say it is awfully coincidental that these two incidents occurred on the same day with a planned attacks against foreign diplomats specifically. We have also had information from allies to suggest further attacks have occurred abroad in and around Asia."

Owen

 

[Owen]

An assistant in another office would get on the phone to the dentists who served the known people onboard the plane to collect their dental records. Once they were all collected they would be emailed through to the National Security Office.

"That's interesting. I wouldn't have any idea why the Congolese would want to attack us, we haven't had any communication with them. And shoot their own Minister of Foreign Affairs? This is utmost strange. I look forward to hearing more from your police investigation on the matter.

Now as I said, we are willing to put the Antarctic issue to rest. We are not relinquishing our claims but because our avenues for returning the land have now shrunk to nothing after losing the court case.... well whatever that was, we have no more plans to act on their return. They are simply put... not of any strategic value to Australia. We have much more pressing issues in the Middle East to focus on now and of course naturally our focus on the Asia-Pacific has somewhat diminished as a result of our concentrated efforts south of us. Is Sweden ready and willing to support any effort in the Middle East should it deteriorate? I don't honestly see it getting to that point. I think Turkey is just chest beating and will do it every couple of months or so. All bark and no bite."

Connor

 

[Connor]

"I don't have any idea why the Congolese would opt for terror attacks against Sweden either, we have had no involvement with them whatsoever other than the invitation of their Foreign Minister to open a relationship. It seems they are attempting to make a name for themselves - it's likely that they feel untouchable given the current global politics however if they are seen to get away with international terrorism it may become more common than we expect. The last terror attack I can recall of any significance was that of the Capitol Building in the United States a number of years ago.

Yes, as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs said in her statement we will work with any coalition to ensure war in the Middle East is averted at all costs. Turkey needs to be reminded that we can cooperate where required and this kind of fear mongering won't be accepted on the global stage whether they are or are not considering themselves part of the Global Assembly. I have not forgotten that they downed a fully loaded civilian aircraft with Air Force fighter jets in international airspace - they are dangerous."

Owen

 

[Owen]

An advisor would walk in, whisper into the Foreign Minister's ear and inform him about what just occurred in Thailand.

"Mr. Ambassador I'm sorry to cut this short but there has been an incident in Thailand and I'm required at a National Security Committee meeting. We can pick up were we left off soon but this is.... this is going to turn ugly quickly and I'd advise you to return to your embassy and consult with your government on the matter. I won't give you anymore details beyond that." The Minister would walk out, heading through the hallways down to the Cabinet room for the emergency crisis meeting. Somebody would escort the Ambassador out.

Connor

 

[Connor]

Slightly stunned, the Ambassador would return to the embassy. With Thailand naturally not being of importance to the Ambassador for Sweden to Australia he would simply send a memorandum to the Bureau for Oceanic Affairs informing them of the intelligence gained.