Doctors critical after the statement: 'Irresponsible'
Nuclear weapons
The Swedish doctors' criticism of Kristersson's statement about nuclear weapons
Matthias Kjellman
Updated 15.52 | Published 14.36
Photo: Christine Olsson/TT
Kristersson spoke in P1 morning about nuclear weapons being or not being on Swedish territory.
Now he and the government are facing criticism.
- It is a clarity that we are asking for. The government and the Riksdag must make it clear that nuclear weapons must not be on Swedish territory, says Josefin Lind, secretary general of Swedish Doctors Against Nuclear Weapons.
Finland and Norway have an express letter banning nuclear weapons on their territory. But Sweden lacks such a ban.
- We have drawn up two propositions. It says that Sweden has declared that we will not have permanent troops or nuclear weapons on Swedish soil in peacetime, Kristersson said in the interview.
When asked about nuclear weapons in a war situation, he replied:
- In a war situation, it is a completely different matter. Then all of NATO benefits from the nuclear umbrella that must exist as long as Russia has its weapons. However, it is the case that Sweden rules over Swedish territory.
Josefin Lind, Secretary General Swedish Doctors Against Nuclear Weapons. Photo: Press photo
Swedish doctors against nuclear weapons are critical of the propositions Kristersson mentions and how they are presented.
"In the proposals the Prime Minister refers to, it is stated that 'there is no reason to have nuclear weapons and permanent bases on Swedish territory in peacetime.'" they in a press release.
- Right now the government does not believe that there are no reasons, but what will happen in one, five, ten, 50 years? There are no guarantees that a situation would arise where the current, or future, government presents reasons for nuclear weapons to be brought into Sweden. If a ban were adopted, it would mean that nuclear weapons may not be brought into Swedish territory, regardless of the circumstances, says Josefin Lind.
"Deeply irresponsible"
A Novus survey commissioned by Swedish doctors against nuclear weapons at the end of December 2023 shows that a clear majority of the Swedish people do not want nuclear weapons in Sweden and want the Riksdag to state this in writing.
- I think it is deeply irresponsible and does not accept the will of the people. Sweden is the only country in the Nordics that has no clarity regarding nuclear weapons. The Riksdag must demand that the government clearly distance itself from nuclear weapons on Swedish territory, in times of peace as well as in times of war, threat of war and crisis.
- We also think that the opposition needs to be tougher and demand this. Above all, the Social Democrats, who are the largest party in the opposition, says Josefin Lind.
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NATO
Kristersson is pressed about nuclear weapons
Knut Sahlin Ekberg Updated 08.55 | Published 07.52
An American nuclear weapon robot that was test fired in the early 1980s. Photo: US National Archives
In an interview with P1 morning, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is pressed about the nuclear agreement with the United States.
Norway and Finland have an express letter banning nuclear weapons on their territory. But Sweden does not have that.
- We have drawn up two propositions. It says that Sweden has declared that we will not have permanent troops or nuclear weapons on Swedish soil in peacetime, he tells the channel.
When asked about nuclear weapons in a war situation, he says:
- In a war situation, it is a completely different matter. Then all of NATO benefits from the nuclear umbrella that must exist as long as Russia has its weapons. However, it is the case that Sweden rules over Swedish territory.
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