Members of
Switzerland's Army Forces (Reuters / Thomas Hodel)
Source: Russia Today
http://rt.com/news/switzerland-prepares-europe-unrest-263/
The Swiss Army is preparing contingency plans for violent
unrest across Europe. A nation mostly famous for its banks, watches and
chocolate fears it may face a massive influx of European refugees in the near
future.
One of the world’s richest nations openly expressed
concerns over the possible outcome of Europe’s continuing financial troubles,
and is currently conducting army exercises against the possibility of riots
along its borders.
In September, the Swiss military conducted exercises
dubbed ‘Stabilo Due,’ with scenarios involving violent instability across the EU.
Switzerland has maintained an avowedly neutral stance for
decades, and refused to join the eurozone when presented with the opportunity.
Bern’s biggest fear is likely the disorganization of
neighboring nations’ armies that would follow general instability; the eurozone
crisis and the severe austerity measures in the EU are forcing member-states to
significantly slash their military budgets. If protest
continues to spread across Europe, police and armed forces may find
themselves ill-equipped to manage the unrest.
"I will not rule out that we will need the army
in the coming years,” Swiss Defense Minister Ueli Maurer said last Sunday.
The Swiss Defense Ministry has pressed ahead to modernize
the country’s army despite political opposition. With its multibillion-Franc
military budget and an army of around 200,000 soldiers, the country also plans
to purchase new ‘Saab Gripen’ jet fighters.
“Minister Maurer, accompanied by whispers from the
top uniformed leadership in Switzerland, is trying to raise awareness that
Europe’s massive fiscal-cum-political crisis could get very unpleasant,” John
R. Schindler, a professor of national security affairs at the US Naval War
College wrote in an article for the XX Committee website.
The Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, Lieutenant General
André Blattmann, likewise revealed plans to deploy an additional four
battalions of military police (1,600 soldiers) to protect strategic points
across the country. Blattmann is expected to present the plan in December.
Professor Schindler predicts that, “if the next Anders
Brievik were to target Muslims, not fellow Europeans, things could get
unimaginably ugly very quickly,” which could trigger widespread Muslim
uprisings in Europe.
Switzerland, however, stands in stark opposition to the
multicultural policies and thinking now common in other European nations. In
2009, Switzerland passed a national referendum banning the construction of
Islamic mosques.
And while the global economic crisis has forced several
European nations to cut military expenditures, Switzerland has maintained
relatively consistent levels of defense spending.
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