SWEDEN: RESULTS OF THE NUCLEAR REFERENDUM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R000100870001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 10, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 4, 1980
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/11^CIA-RDP85T00287R000100870001-7
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
NATIONAL FOREIGN ASSESSMENT CENTER
4 April 1980
MEMORANDUM
SWEDEN: RESULTS OF THE NUCLEAR REFERENDUM
Swedish voters accepted expansion of nuclear power from the present
6 to as many as 12 reactors by a wide margin: 53 percent in favor to 39
percent against. As a result the moratorium on operation of two completed
reactors has been removed. They may be in commercial operation early
next year. Others could come on line in fall 1981, fall 1982, summer
1985 and spring 1986. These, however, may be delayed as the government
wrestles with safety and waste disposal questions which must be resolved
before licensing. In addition, there may be new safety questions raised
about currently operating reactors. The 2 Barsback reactors, because of
their densely populated locale, may be the first targets of nuclear power
opponents.
Some reduction or delays in the program may be economically acceptable--
a surplus of electric generating capacity is expected to develop in the
near term. The referendum result has buoyed confidence in the Swedish
industrial community, and permitted the government to move ahead with
economic programs.
One goal of the referendum--removal of nuclear power as a political
issue--has not been achieved. The opposition Social Democrats are already
pressing the government to replace Energy Minister Carl Axel Petri--a
nonpolitical appointee designated for the prereferendum period--with a
supporter of Proposition 2. That proposition, sponsored by the Social
Democrats, won a plurality of the votes. T~js pressure will be resisted
This memorandum, requested by the Treasury Department, was prepared
bu of the West European Division, Office of Political Analysis.
The paper was coordinated with the National Intelligence Officer for Western
Zlirope. Research was completed on 3 April. Questions and cnnlents may be
addressed to the Chi,-~f, Northern Europe Branch,, Wes tern Europe Division,
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/11: CIA-RDP85T00287R000100870001-7
by Prime Minister Falldin's anti-nuclear Center Party, which says it will
abid by the referendum result but which also intends to monitor the expan-
sion closely for safety problems. Center Party leaders will soon have
an opportunity to question and delay increased nuclear power capacity--
a report on enhanced safety measures is due for parliamentary debate
this month. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Social
Democratic Party Olaf Palme will use each such opportunities to try to
drive a wedge in the coalition, which contains both pro-and anti-nuclear
advocates.
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/11: CIA-RDP85T00287R000100870001-7
Distribution: Sweden: Results of the Nuclear Referendum
2 - D/OPA
3 - OPA/Production
3 - P&PG
1 - CD/WE
2 - WE/NE
1 - Author
NFAC/OPA/WE/NE/
(4April 1980)
STAT
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/11: CIA-RDP85T00287R000100870001-7