Cable, Cornell, Swedish Embassy, Pyongyang, to the Cabinet, Stockholm

Swedish [Embassy] Pyongyang

1976-10-20

Cabinet Stockholm

VERY URGENT for the Chief of Police.

First: Late Tuesday night, [I] was called to the [North Korean] Deputy Foreign Minister who:

(a) clearly distanced himself from the illegal actions carried out by the embassy officials [in Stockholm] that would be severely punished;

(b) regretted the sudden decisions taken by Copenhagen and Oslo for the deportation [of North Korean officials]. Such decisions were not preceded by consultations;

(c) now wanted to arrange consultations with us, that were due according to news agencies. It seemed like a united Nordic campaign aimed at North Korea. If the same thing happened in Stockholm, it would have serious repercussions on relations [between North Korea and Sweden]. The position of the ambassador is sensitive and the expulsion is equivalent to terminating diplomatic relations.

Second: The North Koreans are clearly eager to find a face saving formula and obviously ask us to let mercy take precedence over the ambassador. The force of their veiled threat to terminate relations is difficult to judge. May I suggest for consideration the possibility of immediate action with the subordinates while waiting [to act] on the Ambassador, but let him understand that he should travel [out of Sweden] voluntarily. In that case, we should not have to evacuate [the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang]. The Deputy Minister intends to call the Ambassador shortly. Unfortunately, the existence of Pyongyang Embassy was well-motivated by the planned arrival of some 50 assemblers and continued debt recovery, etc.

Third: At Danish cement factory building F.L. Smith, there is the Swede, Meyer, with wife and three children.

[Erik] Cornell

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