Umstrittene Schweizer Sicherheitspolitik ... - ETH Zürich

Rory Montgomery
America, so that the idea of travelling overseas to perform useful humanitarian
functions is deeply engraved in our society. There is also a broad
consensus that it is right to have a force and to use it in these ways. As
a result, it has not been necessary to run any high profile publicity campaign.
However, there is sometimes a debate over the extent to which the
developments in the EU are compatible with our traditions.
Pitteloud Jacques: In Switzerland, we also have an equine tradition;
there is for example the “Marché-Concours à Saignelégier”. As a result of
our equine tradition, we had some difficulties in abolishing the cavalry.
I would like you to elaborate on the general geopolitical military
threat assessment for Ireland.
Montgomery Rory: Since the Second World War, the assessment has
been that the conventional threat is extremely low. In the Second World
War, there was initially a fear of German invasion, and at one point there
was also a fear of British invasion, the aim being to secure ports. However,
neither invasion occurred. During the Cold War, we saw ourselves
as being well-covered by the NATO umbrella, even if we were not a
member of NATO. Even anxieties which may have developed since the
end of the Cold War about the possible danger of a revanchist Russia
don’t apply to Ireland. As far as the threat of terrorism is concerned, the
general assessment is that the international terrorist threat is low – leaving
aside the question of domestic terrorism, which, as we saw in the last
couple of weeks, has not entirely disappeared, even though it has largely
gone with the Good Friday Agreement. However, a terrorist attack is
not to be entirely excluded, not least because US Forces regularly ship
through to Iraq and Afghanistan via Shannon Airport, but for the most
part, the international threat is low. The same holds true for any other
threat: it is difficult to see that we are particularly at risk from other nonconventional
forms of threat.
Andrey Dominique: How have local populations overseas responded to
the presence of Irish troops? What kind of relationship have your troops
established with local populations? Has taking part in overseas missions
651