September 1 1999
                                         EUROPE


 


   Alpine nation still 'most armed and
                  most free'

                 BY FIONA FLECK

  ALMOST 500 years ago, Machiavelli wrote: "The Swiss
  are the most armed and the most free." 

  His words are still relevant in Switzerland, which owes
  400 years of neutrality to the traditional core role of the
  army, as well as its moutainous terrain. 

  The Swiss military reaches deep into civilian life and
  arguably into the Swiss psyche. Gun fanatics such as Dino
  Bellasi are not unique. 

  Created as a nation in arms, Switzerland is proud of its
  heritage of Alpine liberty, based on the legendary figure of
  William Tell, who is said to have liberated the Swiss from
  aggressive Austrians in 1291. Switzerland has one of the
  largest land-based armies in Europe. It has a small
  professional army of about 3,300, with a pool of about
  360,000 conscripts. Britain has an army of 109,000 and
  the French around 230,000, including 130,000
  conscripts. 

  Charles Heyman, editor of Jane's World Army, said:
  "The Swiss have a very large defence establishment and it
  tells you straight away how Switzerland managed to avoid
  the First and Second World Wars." 

  According to Article 18 of the Constitution, every Swiss
  male is subject to military service. In 1992, this was
  amended to allow alternative civilian service. When a
  Swiss conscript enters military service, it will engage him
  virtually his entire life. 

  Until 1995, conscription lasted a period of 30 years, from
  20 to 50. Since then, it has been reduced to 22 years. 

  Every conscript must now serve two to three weeks every
  two years. Companies must take the financial burden.
  Soldiers keep equipment at home, including uniforms,
  weapons, live ammunition and other supplies. They are
  also legally and financially responsible for maintenance and
  may use the weapon in civilian life as long as it is ready
  when he is called up. 

  The army also determines social and class distinctions in
  what might appear to be an otherwise classless society.