DEFMIN SCHMID COMMENTS ON SWISS ISAF COMMITMENT

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000992 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/RPM (P.SHEA),EUR/AGS (Y.SAINT-ANDRE),SCA/A, AND DS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/04/2017 TAGS: MARR NATO ASEC PREL AF SZ SUBJECT: DEFMIN SCHMID COMMENTS ON SWISS ISAF COMMITMENT AND EMBASSY SECURITY GUARD ISSUE REF: STATE 120706 Classified By: Ambassador Peter R. Coneway; reasons 1.4(b) and (d). -------------- Swiss Giving ISAF a Close Look -------------- ¶1. (C) In a September 27 meeting with Swiss DefMin Schmid, the Ambassador drew on points in reftel to urge the Swiss government to retain -- or increase -- its commitment of personnel to ISAF. MOD Political Advisor Kunz and Military Advisor MG Rusch accompanied DefMin Schmid; DATT and poloff accompanied the Ambassador. ¶2. (C) In making the case, the Ambassador emphasized the substantial progress ISAF has made to date in Afghanistan, and the political and symbolic importance of Switzerland maintaining its contribution to ISAF. DefMin Schmid expressed concern about increased terrorist attacks and poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. He said that he understands the importance of ISAF to the United States, but commented that limited Swiss deployment capabilities forced him to have to decide between competing demands, such as ongoing and possible future missions in Africa. Ambassador Kunz explained that two previous parliamentary motions to end Switzerland's ISAF contributions had been defeated in the past (Comment: The motions had been sponsored by Schmid's own SVP party. End Comment). The question, he said, was whether the upcoming October 21 parliamentary elections will at all alter the majority support for continued Swiss participation with ISAF. Kunz remarked, however, that any such change would not be expected to occur before spring ¶2008. ¶3. (C) Schmid said that one of the two Swiss military personnel currently assigned to PRT-Konduz is scheduled to rotate out in November; the second one comes up for rotation in January/February. He said that he would plan to have the Swiss officer returning in November brief him on the current situation, to obtain a better idea of the situation on the ground. While making not commitments with regard to continued Swiss contributions to ISAF, Schmid underlined that he would give the matter careful review, mindful of our message. (Note: AMB Kunz subsequently informed us that the MOD is planning to extend the contracts related to the two Swiss personnel participating in ISAF, indicating that the MOD plans to retain the contribution, at least for the foreseeable future. End Note) -------------- -------------- Schmid Directs Senior Staff to Rectify Guard Problem -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) The Ambassador raised the matter of continuing discipline problems exhibited by Swiss military guards who assist the Swiss police in providing perimeter security to the Embassy and Residence in Bern. Schmid expressed concern and directed MG Rusch to take steps to ensure proper military discipline is observed by the Swiss military personnel assigned to this duty. (Note: Swiss military personnel performing this duty normally are militia members performing their periodic two-week active duty requirement. End Note) MG Rusch indicated that some measures -- such as increased NCO/officer oversight -- had been taken, but committed to redouble the effort. The Ambassador thanked Schmid, and reported that we also had discussed the issue with Justice Minister Blocher, who is looking for possible near-term options to increase Swiss police coverage at our facilities and thereby relieve the burden on the Swiss military. CARTER