Swiss army to get atomic weapons – archive

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/swiss-army-atomic-weapons-missiles-nuclear

Version 0 of 1.

GENEVA, July 11.

The Swiss Government decided to-day to equip its army with atomic weapons and instruct the Defence Department to study where and how they could be acquired.

It is realised in Bern that at present atomic weapons cannot be purchased from any of the existing nuclear Powers, so that in the end Switzerland may have to manufacture its own from uranium obtained from countries such as Sweden or Belgium. At any rate the issue of atomic weapons to Army units was described by a Government spokesman as a matter “for the distant future.” It is assumed that the Swiss have only tactical atomic weapons in mind.

It has been a traditional view in this country that neutrality is respected only if it has strong teeth, if any potential aggressor knows in advance that to attack Switzerland does not pay. In this nuclear age Switzerland’s armed neutrality could make sense only if it could adopt the nuclear deterrent.

Not yet approved

The Government’s decision will have to be approved by Parliament and even Parliament’s decision can be challenged by referendum. Some five years ago ultra-neutral, pacifist, and extreme Left-wing groups tried to create an atomic scare when it was proposed to set up a research laboratory of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research outside Geneva. They were then defeated in a referendum.

Now again there have been signs that emotions and fear will be used to the utmost to frustrate the Government’s decision. Perhaps when it comes under more acute attacks the Swiss Government will be more successful in explaining to the public the essential deterrent nature of the new equipment which it intends to equip its Army.