Swedes protest NYC consulate closure

NEW YORK, April 22 (UPI) -- Swedish business leaders in New York say they want to save their country's consulate-general in Manhattan, which is rumored to be on the chopping block.

Leaders of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce of New York have drafted a letter to Foreign Minister Carl Bildt saying that closing the consulate-general would have "monumental negative consequences" for Swedish interests, the Swedish news agency TT reported Wednesday.

Also reportedly signing the letter were such prominent Swedish business leaders as former ABB head Percy Barnevik, Electrolux chief executive Hans Straberg and Lars Nordstrom, the former head of Nordea bank.

Sveriges Radio reported this month that several diplomatic facilities were under consideration for closure by the foreign ministry, including consulates in Los Angeles and Canton, China, as well as the New York office.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Amelie Heinsjo wouldn't confirm or deny the rumored closures, telling the Swedish Web site The Local, "What I can say is the foreign ministry is constantly reviewing our operations."