Debate article
Dagens Nyheter 08 February 2008
Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Beatrice Ask, Minister for Justice
Comprehensive Swedish strategy to combat terrorism
There is no doubt that international terrorism represents one of the biggest political challenges of our time. In Europe, including Sweden, acts of terrorism have occurred since the beginning of the 1970s and since that time counter-terrorism has been one of the most fundamental tasks of the state.
In the 1990s terrorism increasingly became a global phenomenon and the methods that are used have become more and more difficult to counter and to protect against. Today, the most serious threats come from groups that want to justify violence and try to recruit suicide bombers by reference to extreme interpretations of Islam.
The major attacks in European countries in recent years - particularly the attacks in Madrid and London - meant a serious escalation of the threat of terrorism in our part of the world as well.
Although the direct threat of terrorism against Sweden and Swedish interests is still considered to be relatively low, it would be naïve to believe that what has happened in our neighbouring countries could not also happen here.
A major terrorist attack in our country would naturally involve considerable strain on a number of our most important public services. Work to improve our ability to prevent, pursue and protect ourselves against terrorism and - if that fails - manage the consequences of terrorist attacks must be a continuously ongoing process in which we must constantly develop our own vigilance and capacity, and make use of our own and other countries´ experience.
The Government has now completed work on a national strategy that the Social Democratic government never succeeded in finishing. Today it will be submitted to the Riksdag. For the first time, a comprehensive approach to the issue of terrorism is being taken.
There is broad political agreement that Sweden must have a high level of preparedness so as to counter threats that target our open society and democratic system. There is also great consensus that a broad approach and stronger coordination between various policy areas as well as across national borders are necessary in order to succeed. Traditional measures by the police and the legal system form a cornerstone in the work against terrorism, but on their own are not enough.
In order to combat terrorism and its breeding grounds in the long term, preventive measures in a broad sense are necessary. And if, nevertheless, the worst should happen, we must have the preparedness to manage that as well.
Later on this spring, the government agencies concerned will follow up the strategy now being presented to the Riksdag with an action plan. This plan will contain specific measures to improve cooperation, education and the operative work. The goal is for Sweden to counter the threat of terrorism through broad preparedness, good coordination and the efficient use of resources.
The Government´s strategy contains the following points of departure:
We have a responsibility here at home to take necessary measures to stop terrorism, but we also have a responsibility towards other countries. Citizens of other countries should not need to face the risk of terrorism that is planned, assisted or carried out from a Swedish base. Further, we have a responsibility to contribute to the growing international cooperation. Terrorism is a global threat that requires joint solutions.
Since the change of government in 2006, a number of measures have been implemented to strengthen protection against terrorism. Within the framework of the Government's initiatives to improve the legal system, appropriations to the Swedish Security Service have been increased in order to develop its capacity.
New, more efficient tools and working procedures in the form of bugging and the use of certain coercive measures have been introduced and both the emergency preparedness and the consular preparedness of the Swedish Foreign Service have been strengthened.
Facilities that are vital to society must be given modern protection and the government agencies concerned must gain access to the proper skills and the opportunity to continuously improve their working procedures.
Coordination between government agencies must become even better and new methods must be tested to counteract segregation, discrimination and exclusion, which always risk forming a breeding ground for violent radicalisation. It is also important that we gain more knowledge as to why individuals support, assist or commit acts of terror and how such destructive processes can be prevented. For this, broad cooperation between government agencies and an active civil society are needed.
National security can no longer be distinguished from international security issues. Together with other countries, we will contribute in making it difficult for terrorists and work to minimise the breeding grounds of terrorism, both nationally and internationally.
International consensus is vital when it comes to the nature of the threat of terrorism, the countermeasures that are needed and the standards that are to form the basis of this work.
Sweden has long been deeply engaged in the common endeavours of the international community to fight and prevent terrorism and must continue to play an active part in improving structures, cooperative projects and legal instruments under the auspices of the United Nations, the European Union and other organisations. We are working particularly closely and actively in the EU to improve cooperation and information exchange between crime-fighting agencies.
Sweden is also a major donor to enhance capacity in countries that lack their own capability to fight terror effectively and in accordance with the rule of law. We are also in a good position to contribute to international efforts to remove the breeding grounds of terror in the long term.
A multifaceted process of development lies ahead. We therefore feel that it is appropriate now to report on what is already taking place and what additional measures are being planned during this term of office in our country, as well as the principles that will guide the future work.
It is important that the Government and government agencies show an awareness that threats exist in Sweden as well, and that these must be taken extremely seriously. It is also important to clarify the demands placed on legal security. All counter-terrorist measures, including the most intrusive, must be based on our values of respect for human rights and the cornerstones of our open society.
BEATRICE ASK
CARL BILDT
