Source: International Herald-Tribune (via Reuters) Contact: http://www.iht.com/ Pubdate: Aug 15, 1998 SWEDEN MIGHT SELL LIQUOR ON SATURDAYS STOCKHOLM---A 16-year ban on Saturday sales at Sweden's state-run alcohol shops could end if current Social Affairs Minister Margot Wallstrom has her way. Despite images internationally of Sweden as a liberal, free-living country, the sale of alcohol is tightly controlled by the state to discourage excessive drinking, with all but lowalcohol beer available only from state shops, or Systembolagets. The social affairs minister is campaigning to reopen alcohol shops Saturdays. She said that the large amounts of alcohol smuggled into Sweden to beat high taxes and the increased consumption of home brew had defeated the purpose of the closure. A survey in a National Railway Authority newspaper, Kupe, this summer found 68 percent of 1,000 Swedes questioned thought Systembolagets should open Saturdays. - --- Checked-by: Pat Dolan