Defence Resolution for 1997-2001
The Defence Resolution for 1997-2001 was drawn up in a new way. It was divided into two phases, with Bills being presented in autumn 1995 and autumn 1996. The first phase, passed by Parliament on 6 December 1995, set out Government principles for security policy, defence policy, total defence objectives, and overall issues concerning the shape, structure and economic scope of the defence system. Key issues were a unified view of military and civilian defence ("total defence"), the new demand for adaptability in both the short and long term in response to changes in the security situation, a new, broader definition of security to include severe peacetime emergencies, and increased focus on participation in international peace support and humanitarian operations. The guidelines for total defence drawn up by the Government can be summarized in four key terms: adaptability, a unified view, a democratic defence, and international commitments.
The Defence Bill's second phase was based on these guidelines and on the 1996 security policy review, the Defence Commission's International Change and Swedish Security Policy, and the plans drawn up by various authorities including the Armed Forces and the SwedishAgency for Civil Emergency Planning. In addition, a large number of municipalities and professional and other organizations contributed useful opinions. The second phase of the Defence Resolution was, like phase one, worked out in close cooperation with the Centre Party. The Social Democrats and the Centre were in agreement on all aspects of the Resolution. The two parties were jointly responsible for the shaping of Sweden's total defence for 1997-2001, thereby guaranteeing broad parliamentary support across party political borders.
The Defence Resolution for 1997-2001 stated that "Sweden shall have a defence system firmly rooted in the population, and not a full-time professional army. The Swedish total defence should be so constructed and organized as to be the concern of the entire population. It is of great importance that the people of Sweden feel responsible for and able, according to ability, to take part in the defence of their country. This is best achieved through a system based on national service. A country like Sweden, with a large land area and a small population, needs a relatively large defence system. Furthermore, since national service recruits come from widely different sectors of society, this method also helps provide the defence system with a broad range of knowledge and experience. In addition, national service also means that the defence system is firmly rooted in the people. A professional army cannot create the will to resist and the strength that a national defence system requires."
In the Bill on the Renewal of Sweden's Defence (phase one) the Government stressed that each year 30,000 national service recruits should be trained in the military sector and 10,000 in the civilian sector. In practice the total number of total defence recruits per year inrecent years had been only about 38,000.
The Defence Bill was to lead to improvements in Sweden's preparedness and ability to fulfil this commitment as mandated by the UN and the OSCE. Sweden would be able to take part in a broad range of operations, from providing armed personnel for peace support operations to civil and relief missions to strengthen local competence for reconstruction work after a conflict.
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