NOBEL PEACE PRIZE UPDATE: Swiss army chief warns of terrorism and unrest.
In a commentary in the “Schweiz am Sonntag” newspaper, the Lieutenant General said the world needed security – in areas including the economy, education, sport, research and even culture.
Speaking on the record for the first time since the November Paris terror attacks, Blattmann told the paper that despite a rise in security incidents over the past two years Switzerland’s means of defence were being reduced.
“Even if we are not (yet) directly affected by the conflicts taking place around the world we are already experiencing some impact,” the army chief said.
“The threat of terror is rising, hybrid wars are being fought around the globe; the economic outlook is gloomy and the resulting migration flows of displaced persons and refugees have assumed unforeseen dimensions.”
Blattmann warned that another risk was that a weakened economy would increase competition on the labour market.
“Social unrest cannot be rule out; the language is becoming dangerously aggressive,” he said.
Not a single mention of his confidence that the Obama/Kerry team will keep things safe and calm.