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).

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Swiss Giving ISAF a Close Look
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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)

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Schmid Directs Senior Staff to Rectify Guard Problem
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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