[Sweden]: Message to Thailand

[Connor]

Kingdom of Sweden Reinfeldt Administration

February 2007​

Dear Minister Kanokrat Lertchoosakul,

I hope this message finds you well. Given the close and longstanding alliance between our nations, I am writing to provide you with a detailed concern regarding recent strategic action undertaken by the Government of Sweden that may have implications for the wider international community and, in particular, Thailand.

After thorough deliberation within our national security and foreign affairs councils, Sweden has implemented measures to block Myanmar's acquisition of specific Turkish products. This decision was driven by our firm commitment to supporting regional stability and security, particularly in light of ongoing concerns about the potential misuse of such products in ways that could exacerbate conflict or undermine national security efforts. Our intervention seeks to contribute to the containment of sensitive advanced technologies that may facilitate military escalation. Sweden's approach aligns with our broader foreign policy principles that emphasise responsible trade, the prevention of conflict and the promotion of peace and security in Southeast Asia and beyond.

This has included the total deconstruction of a significant proportion of the Turkish defence industry with the reorganisation of intellectual property rights to prevent workaround tactics which would see Sweden lose total control over our already implemented efforts.

We recognise that this actions may carry repercussions for regional economic and diplomatic dynamics. Whilst our primary objective remains clear, to reduce the risk of conflict escalation through targeted trade controls, we are also mindful that adjustments in supply chains and alliances may follow. It is in this avenue that we believe transparent communication and close coordination between our governments is essential. We share this information with you in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation, reaffirming our commitment to our alliance and to working jointly to uphold peace and stability internationally. We stand ready to engage further with your government on monitoring developments and exploring ways to mitigate any unintended consequences arising from this intervention.

Our experts within the Department of Defence are actively monitoring the situation and preparing our next steps should a physical response be required.

Should you require any further information or wish to discuss this matter in greater detail, please do not hesitate to contact my office directly.

Regards,
Hanna Söderström
Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Asian Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs

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To: <Hanna Söderström, Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Asian Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden> Connor From: <Kanokrat Lertchoosakul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Thailand> Subject: RE: - Security Type: NSST Architecture 1.5 | Secret and Encrypted

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Dear Assistant Secretary Hanna Söderström,

I thank you for your detailed and transparent correspondence to my office. We are especially grateful for this notification, considering that your country is undergoing a democratic election period. Thailand and Sweden indeed share a close and longstanding alliance. I understand that the bilateral treaty between our two nations was among the most prioritized policies of the previous administration. This new government will continue such a commitment.

Currently, Thailand and Myanmar are working together through diplomatic channels to resolve and address a historical military incursion by our armed forces. The agreement between our two Southeast Asian nations includes the adherence to the Global Assembly for dispute resolution, the creation of a Demilitarized Zone, and the establishment of a Joint Border Committee. While we do not know the specificity of the mentioned military equipment, the Confederal Thai Government is grateful that its allies in Sweden play a part in preventing further militarization of the region.

Furthermore, if possible, we request general information regarding the blocked equipment. Currently, Thailand has granted Myanmar the right to fly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles into its border territory to monitor the DMZ. However, although such a provision is consensual, Thailand has strict privacy and anti-surveillance laws. Knowing the general information about such equipment would help us assess whether it is related to our concerns for our citizens' constitutional rights.

Once more, I extend my sincere appreciation for your correspondence to my office. It is clear that Sweden remains committed to our deep working relationship, and Thailand will reciprocate that consistency.​

Yours in diplomacy,

Kanokrat Lertchoosakul
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Confederal Government
Socialist Republic of Thailand

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Digital Diplomatic Communication​

 

[Connor]

Kingdom of Sweden Reinfeldt Administration

February 2007​

Dear Minister Kanokrat Lertchoosakul,

Thailand and Sweden have long had strong diplomatic ties and I am grateful that your new administration seeks to continue our longstanding relationship into the future, something I am without doubt we will continue to build upon.

Our intelligence community first identified an unauthorised production of the TAI Gozcu, a radio-controlled short-range tactical drone which was both designed, developed and built by Turkish Aerospace Industries for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance purposes. The unmanned aircraft boasts approximately one-hundred and twenty minutes of endurance, a service ceiling of around twelve thousand feet and a maximum speed of one hundred and ten miles per hour. It goes without saying that this aircraft is particularly technologically advanced.

This purchase order involved one hundred and sixty units of this product, accompanied by notification of a Domestic Protection Licence authorised by Turkey. Sweden does not ordinarily permit the export of strategic defence equipment in a bid to ensure national security. Consequently, a cease and desist order was served immediately by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. While we cannot comment on or be certain of the intended operational purpose of this unmanned aerial vehicle, it is without doubt that this substantial acquisition of one of the most sophisticated aircraft of its type posed a very real and undeniable national security risk to Sweden and her allies, a risk we were not willing to take and actively sought to mitigate. Initially, our action was intended to conclude there.

In the hours that followed, however, we identified a pending transactional payment, unencrypted and accessible in the public domain. This transaction related to the acquisition of a majority stake in Turkish Aerospace Industries by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey - a clear attempt to circumvent our export embargo and manipulate the defence sector to facilitate this sale. This action constituted a direct challenge to Sweden's national security measures and international standards. Something we will not tolerate.

Given the gravity of these developments, we felt compelled to take further decisive measures to uphold our security interests and those of our allies. We believe it is imperative to keep our trusted partners fully informed of these unfolding events to ensure mutual understanding and coordinated responses where necessary.

We remain committed to transparent communication and collaboration with Thailand and all our allies in navigating these complex security challenges. That said, we are keen to ensure this does not escalate any further - our position has been made clear and that is where we intend it to end.

Regards,
Hanna Söderström
Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs for Asian Affairs
Department of Foreign Affairs

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SECRET
Crown Copyright © Kingdom of Sweden
All information is encrypted and subject to the Swedish Document Classification and Security Act 1995​

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