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WORLD NEWS Tuesday 17 May 2022
Once-neutral Sweden seeks NATO membership; Turkey objects

By KARL RITTER after joining the European
Associated Press Union in 1995, but have re-
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Swe- mained nonaligned militar-
den on Monday decided ily until now.
to join neighboring Finland After being firmly against
in seeking NATO member- NATO membership for de-
ship, ending more than cades, public opinion in
two centuries of military both countries shifted fol-
nonalignment in a historic lowing Russia’s Feb. 24 in-
shift prompted by Russia’s vasion of Ukraine, with re-
invasion of Ukraine. The cord levels of support for
move drew strong objec- joining the alliance. The
tions from Turkey’s leader, Swedish and Finnish gov-
who declared the two na- ernments swiftly initiated
tions should not be allowed discussions across political
to join NATO because they parties about NATO mem-
have been too lax in taking bership and reached out to
action against Kurdish mili- the U.S., Britain, Germany
tants. and other NATO countries
Countries can only join for their support.
NATO if all current mem- Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, right, and the Moderate Party’s leader Ulf On Sunday, Andersson’s
bers agree. Kristersson give a news conference in Stockholm, Sweden, Monday, May 16, 2022. party reversed their long-
Associated Press
Swedish Prime Minister standing position that
Magdalena Andersson ratcheted up his objection shares a 1,340-kilometer dersson said her govern- Sweden must remain
warned that the Nordic to Sweden and Finland (830-mile) border with Rus- ment also was preparing a nonaligned, giving NATO
country would be in a “vul- joining NATO, accusing the sia, and Sweden of reper- bill that would allow Swe- membership overwhelming
nerable position” during countries of failing to take cussions should they pursue den to receive military as- support in Parliament. Only
the application period and a “clear” stance against NATO membership. But Rus- sistance from other nations the small Left and Green
urged her fellow citizens to Kurdish militants and other sian President Vladimir Pu- in case of an attack. parties objected when the
brace themselves for the groups that his country con- tin on Monday seemed to “The Russian leadership issue was discussed by law-
Russian response. siders to as terrorists, and of downplay the significance thought they could bully makers on Monday.
“Russia has said that that it imposing military sanctions of their move. Ukraine and deny them Left Party leader Nooshi
will take countermeasures on Turkey. Speaking to a Russian-led and other countries self- Dadgostar, whose calls for
if we join NATO,” she said. “Neither country has an military alliance of six ex- determination,” Kristersson a referendum on the mat-
“We cannot rule out that open, clear stance against Soviet states, Putin said said. “They thought they ter were dismissed by the
Sweden will be exposed to, terrorist organizations,” Er- Moscow “does not have a could scare Sweden and government, said joining
for instance, disinformation dogan said. “During this problem” with Sweden or Finland and drive a wedge NATO would raise tensions
and attempts to intimidate process, we cannot say Finland applying for NATO between us and our neigh- in the Baltic Sea region.
and divide us.” ‘yes’ to those who impose membership, but that “the bors and allies. They were “It does not help Ukraine,”
Sweden’s move came a sanctions on Turkey, on expansion of military infra- wrong.”Once a regional she said.
day after the country’s joining NATO, which is a se- structure onto this territory military power, Sweden has Andersson said Sweden
governing Social Demo- curity organization.” will, of course, give rise to avoided military alliances would make clear that
cratic party endorsed a Swedish Defense Minister our reaction in response.” since the end of the Napo- it doesn’t want nuclear
plan for Sweden to join the Peter Hultqvist told pub- Andersson, who leads the leonic Wars. Like Finland it weapons or permanent
trans-Atlantic alliance and lic broadcaster SVT that a center-left Social Demo- remained neutral through- NATO bases on its soil —
Finland’s government an- Swedish delegation would crats, said Sweden would out the Cold War, but similar conditions as neigh-
nounced that it would seek be sent to Ankara to dis- hand in its NATO applica- formed closer relations with boring Norway and Den-
to join NATO. cuss the issue. tion jointly with Finland. NATO after the 1991 Soviet mark insisted on when the
Turkish President Recep Moscow has repeatedly Flanked by opposition collapse. They no longer alliance was formed after
Tayyip Erdogan on Monday warned Finland, which leader Ulf Kristersson, An- see themselves as neutral World War II. q

Coast Guard ends search after rescuing 38 near Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) women and 36 of the 38 had the best chance to be
— The U.S. Coast Guard survivors were Haitians. The rescued.”
announced Monday that remaining two were from Rescue efforts began on
it suspended the search the Dominican Republic, Thursday after a U.S. Cus-
for potential survivors of a officials said. toms and Border Protec-
capsized boat near Puerto “Our most heartfelt con- tion helicopter spotted the
Rico after finding 11 bodies dolences to the families, capsized boat while on pa-
and rescuing 38 migrants friends and loved ones of trol.
from a vessel that had car- those who did not survive Authorities have reported
ried an estimated 60 to 75 or remain missing,” said a big increase in recent
passengers. Capt. Gregory Magee, months in the number of
Crews searched the wa- commander of the San Haitian migrants fleeing
ters north of uninhabited Juan Coast Guard sector. their country, which is strug- This photo released by the Seventh U.S. Coast Guard District
Desecheo Island, which lies “These crews have done gling with a spike in brutal shows people standing on a capsized boat, left, as some of its
west of Puerto Rico, for four their utmost to ensure that if gang violence, political passengers are pulled up on to a rescue boat, top, in the open
days. there were any more survi- instability and a crumbling waters northwest of Puerto Rico, Thursday, May 12, 2022.
All 11 victims were Haitian vors, that they would have economy.q Associated Press