A Tsunami of lies about our DCA with USA
No, the decions were not made without debates, the decisions were not undemocratic and they do not mean that we becoma an American vasall state.
Spoiler: This is a translation of my letter to the Swedish papers Sydöstran and Norrbottenskuriren. It was published 13 May here, and 18 May here.
The people opposing NATO also lie about the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Sweden and the USA. It is alleged that the negotiations and future parliamentary decisions on the DCA agreement were and will be undemocratic and that the decisions make us an American vassal state.
The democracy arguments are easy to dismiss. In Chapter 10 of the Instrument of Government, one of the four fundamental laws that make up the Swedish Constitution, regulates the government's authority to enter into international agreements and the requirement for the Riksdag's approval if laws need to be changed or if it otherwise applies to an area where the Riksdag has competence. The decision on NATO membership was taken by the Riksdag and the process of proposals, motions and voting in democratic order. Likewise, the Riksdag will very likely vote for the DCA agreement in June.
To name just a few of the false claims that have been put forward, the DCA agreement would mean that the US gets free access at any time and in any way to private land and public infrastructure, that the US can build facilities and bases anywhere on Swedish soil, and that American personnel receive criminal immunity in Sweden.
It's nonsense. As can be seen from the Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States of America (Ministry Publications Series, DS 2024:2) and Sweden's accession to certain NATO agreements (Ministry Publications Series, DS 2023:22), the United States does not get free access to infrastructure. American access to our infrastructure is regulated in DS 2024:2, Article 3. It states that, upon request, Sweden must take reasonable measures to facilitate American personnel temporarily gaining access to and using private land and public facilities.
The US is not allowed to build any way anywhere. In the agreement's Article 3, point 6, it is expressly stated that construction and construction work must be carried out in coordination with the Swedish authorities. In addition, it is stated in Article 5 that Sweden has the ownership right to buildings and facilities in the areas that are used by American personnel.
American soldiers and other personnel who commit crimes do not have criminal immunity in Sweden. Jurisdiction is regulated in Articles 12 and 13 of the agreement and in Article VII of the NATO Charter. The title of Article 12 reads “Criminal Jurisdiction” and the title of Article 13 reads “Custody and Access”. It should be obvious that Article 13 would be redundant if Article 12 granted US soldiers and other personnel immunity from criminal law. Article VII of the NATO treaty divides jurisdiction between visiting and receiving countries. According to Article VII, e.g. receiving country exclusive jurisdiction for crimes punishable only in that country.