Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BERN99
2009-03-05 15:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bern
Cable title:
RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CRITICAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHSW #0099 0641535 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 051535Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BERN TO SECSTATE WASHDC 5694
UNCLAS BERN 000099
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC ECON PTER PREL PGOV EAID EFIN SZ
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEY RESOURCES
REF: STATE 015113
UNCLAS BERN 000099
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC ECON PTER PREL PGOV EAID EFIN SZ
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEY RESOURCES
REF: STATE 015113
1. Post has identified two entities that fit into the
categories supplied by S/CT: the Swiss pharmaceutical
industry and the Swiss banking system.
2. The Swiss pharmaceutical industry is located in Basel and
produces internationally recognized products to combat Avian
Influenza, cancer, tuberculosis, influenza, and other global
illnesses. These same firms, lead by Novartis and Roche,
import and store vast quantities of precursors to make the
pharmaceutical products for the world and have supplies of
drugs on their facilities, if needed, to react to global
outbreaks of disease. Any actions that might disable or
destroy these facilities could severely impact the World
Health Organization's and the world's ability to react to a
major pandemic or health crisis.
3. The Swiss financial system is the 4th largest in the
world trailing only New York, London and Tokyo. The main
center in Zurich and the secondary center in Geneva control
one-third of the world's private overseas wealth (Sfr 3.82
trillion). Given the current global financial crisis, an
attack that successfully shut down the system or severely
crippled confidence in the banking system could significantly
impact the global financial network and further escalate the
severity of the global economic downturn. Institutions of
note that are located in Switzerland include UBS, the world's
largest wealth manager, Credit Suisse, and the Bank of
International Settlements.
CARTER
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC ECON PTER PREL PGOV EAID EFIN SZ
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON CRITICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEY RESOURCES
REF: STATE 015113
1. Post has identified two entities that fit into the
categories supplied by S/CT: the Swiss pharmaceutical
industry and the Swiss banking system.
2. The Swiss pharmaceutical industry is located in Basel and
produces internationally recognized products to combat Avian
Influenza, cancer, tuberculosis, influenza, and other global
illnesses. These same firms, lead by Novartis and Roche,
import and store vast quantities of precursors to make the
pharmaceutical products for the world and have supplies of
drugs on their facilities, if needed, to react to global
outbreaks of disease. Any actions that might disable or
destroy these facilities could severely impact the World
Health Organization's and the world's ability to react to a
major pandemic or health crisis.
3. The Swiss financial system is the 4th largest in the
world trailing only New York, London and Tokyo. The main
center in Zurich and the secondary center in Geneva control
one-third of the world's private overseas wealth (Sfr 3.82
trillion). Given the current global financial crisis, an
attack that successfully shut down the system or severely
crippled confidence in the banking system could significantly
impact the global financial network and further escalate the
severity of the global economic downturn. Institutions of
note that are located in Switzerland include UBS, the world's
largest wealth manager, Credit Suisse, and the Bank of
International Settlements.
CARTER