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SWITZERLAND: Crisis plans (1)

01 January 1991

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SWITZERLAND: Crisis plans
artdoc March=1998

The Swiss government (Federal Council) and the Military
Department are planning to rearm the Swiss Army for action within
the country in times of crisis. The Ordnungsdienst, a special
military unit trained to support the police in times of social
crisis, is to be equipped with 118 million Swiss Francs worth of
"less-lethal" weapons. These include 12 tanks, armoured vehicles,
teargas and rubber-shot and handcuffs. The decision will be made
by decree, preventing any possible discussion or intervention
through referendum.
The Ordnungsdienst has faced repeated demands for its abolition
since the unit shot dead thirteen unarmed demonstrators in 1932.
It is ironical that the reformed and newly equipped
Ordnungsdienst should be given the role of supporting the police
in large-scale demonstrations or "riots". It will also be used
to police frontiers to prevent "streams of refugees threatening
to come into Switzerland" and other similarly improbable
situations.

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