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SvD claims that a possible reason for the ministers' reluctance to scrap the deal is that it could weaken Sweden's chances to earn a spot in the UN Security Council.
Sweden has until May 15 to decide whether it wants to scrap a military cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia which went into effect in 2005. The deal has been heavily criticized by some members of the ruling Social Democrats and their government partners Green Party who say Sweden should not provide military services and sell arms to an authoritarian state, with many calling Saudi Arabia a dictatorship.
Sweden will cancel its arms deal with Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Stefan Lofven has confirmed. The decision comes after the ultraconservative kingdom blocked the Swedish foreign minister’s speech on human rights at an Arab League meeting.
Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom says Saudi Arabia has blocked her from speaking to an Arab League meeting in Cairo.
Wallstrom was invited to address the meeting on Monday but told Sweden's public radio her speech was canceled because of Saudi protests.
She said "they have reacted strongly to what we have said about democracy and human rights."
Wallstrom was among those who expressed outrage at the recent flogging of a Saudi blogger convicted of insulting Islam. She has also criticized the women's rights situation in the deeply conservative kingdom.
Wallstrom told Swedish Radio in Cairo she was disappointed that her speech was canceled and that "it has also put the Arab League in a difficult situation since it means that a country can block an event of this kind."
"To break the trade agreement would be to jeopardize Sweden's reputation as a trade partner and cooperation partner."
The signatories included fashion retailer H&M's [HMb.ST] main owner Stefan Persson, Investor Chairman Jacob Wallenberg and Kinnevik's Cristina Stenbeck.
originally posted by: roth1
Good at least they have a clue to the truth. Although not sating it outright. Wahhabi radicals ( IS, Taliban ( most others are fighting for their country, not for religion or ideology ))come from there not these other nations that are attacked.
“The ministers have voiced their condemnation and astonishment at the issuance of such statements that are incompatible with the fact that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is based on Sharia,” the ministers said in a statement, according to Swedish media.
“Sharia has guaranteed human rights and preserved people’s lives, possessions, honor and dignity. The ministers consider the comments as irresponsible and unacceptable,” the statement added.
originally posted by: MagesticEsoteric
Morality in a government entity.
I am shocked and awed.
Shocked I say....and awed.
originally posted by: LittleByLittle
originally posted by: MagesticEsoteric
Morality in a government entity.
I am shocked and awed.
Shocked I say....and awed.
Do not worry. This is probably an exemption from the normal.
originally posted by: ColCurious
a reply to: LittleByLittle
Good to hear.
to Sweden.
Germany did the same, the night before King Abdullah died.
Germany stops arms exports to Saudi Arabia
That being said... I don't believe the official reason.
I doubt our governments just rediscovered their moral compasses all of a sudden.
Something else is up.
U.S. crude oil storage space is tightening up, and it could be maxed out within the next few months, the Dallas Business Journal reports.
originally posted by: MagesticEsoteric
Show me a moral government and I'll show you my boobs.
Yep, not gonna happen. So, yeah, that's that. LOL!