Swiss army vote on knife edge

The government wants its soldiers to be armed abroad

By Imogen Foulkes in Berne

A close result looks likely in Switzerland's referendum on whether the country's soldiers should carry weapons when on peacekeeping missions abroad.

Voters are also deciding whether the Swiss army can co-operate in Nato-led military training operations.

A vote on Switzerland joining the UN is due next year

Early results show they are deeply divided. Big cantons like Geneva have said "no" to the proposals, smaller ones like Lucerne have narrowly said "yes".

Both proposals have the support of the Swiss government, but they have aroused bitter controversy among voters - many of whom believe Switzerland's traditional neutrality will be compromised if the proposals are approved.

Traditionalists say the idea of any Swiss soldier serving, let alone dying, outside his country is regarded by many Swiss as unthinkable.

I think if they go in dangerous areas, they should have weapons to defend themselves

Swiss voter

But the Cold War is over, regional conflicts are on the increase and some Swiss soldiers, like Lieutenant Martin Studer, are keen to take part in international peacekeeping missions.

"If you want to help in the sense of peacekeeping, I think it is a good thing and lots of people would like to do that. But it is also quite dangerous, so if I would like to go abroad in an area where you have military actions, I would like to carry around a gun for self-defence."

Equal footing

A handful of Swiss troops are serving in Kosovo, but since they cannot carry weapons, they have to be protected by the Austrian forces.

It is not the job of the Swiss army to help in other countries

Thomas Fuchs,
"No" campaigner

The Swiss Government wants its army to serve on an equal footing.

Christian Katrina, chief policy adviser at the defence department, says the proposal to arm the troops is simply common sense.

"We are somewhat surprised that this causes so much controversy. We want our soldiers to be able to defend themselves and to be able to fully fulfil their mandate," he says.

Opposition

But the campaign against the proposal has been bitter.

The right wing accuse the government of betraying Swiss neutrality.

Posters have appeared across the country, showing military cemeteries and Swiss flags.

The Swiss are divided on the issue

"Send our boys to die in foreign countries?," they ask. "Absolutely not!"

Thomas Fuchs, a leading member of the "No" campaign says Swiss soldiers have nothing to do abroad.

"To send armed troops to other countries, different countries, that is a step in the wrong direction. It is not the job of the Swiss army to help in other countries and it is not even a problem of armed or not armed. I think Swiss soldiers have to be in Switzerland."

Left-wing groups are against the proposal, too. They would like to abolish the army altogether.

Swiss confusion

Out on the streets, ordinary voters are divided.

The debate reflects Switzerland's confusion over its post Cold War role.

The government wants closer international co-operation and is pushing for Switzerland to join the United Nations. A vote on that is due next year.

If the proposal on arming troops is defeated, it will be a sign that the Swiss prefer to stay away from problems outside their borders and a serious blow to the government's plans for UN membership.