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Guy Parmelin and Jean-Philippe Gaudin: Two men with a strong message reached the media in the Bundeshaus today. Russia has crossed a red line with its intelligence activities in Switzerland. That would not be tolerated, said the defense minister and his new intelligence chief – a political signal in Moscow.
At the same time, however, Gaudin also indicated the direction to follow: the man wants more staff for his intelligence services. He described with pleasure the importance of the new arsenal of interception and surveillance in the hunt for Russian agents. However, he missed the staff, complains the chief of the NDB: the cantonal police and the federal authorities would urge him to participate in the operations with the new methods of surveillance. But in addition to high legal requirements, it is constrained by staff limitations. Limits too narrow.
It sounded different
Gaudin added 16 new positions to NDB a year ago, with the introduction of additional powers, said Gaudin: Lawyers and additional administrative staff – but not operational staff to implement the new arsenal. The statement surprised. Because, according to a previous opinion of the Federal Council, the 16 posts included very well operational staff. And neither in the parliamentary debate nor in the voting campaign, the Federal Council gave the impression that the additional posts would not be sufficient for the operations.
A tactical maneuver?
Why is the NDB now only asking for additional staff? Jean-Philippe Gaudin declared today with astonishing openness: they did not raise the issue earlier so as not to jeopardize the new law on the intelligence service, did it he stated in a similar way during a conversation with reporters. Gaudin himself was not in office at the time of the parliamentary debate and the vote on the new powers. Nevertheless, his testimony bears little respect for political institutions. Anyone who has reluctantly accepted the new law and new monitoring methods could be wrong. The leader of the Green Party, Balthasar Glättli, sees himself at least confirmed today in his warnings about the overflow of an intelligence service.
Gaudin wants more
For his part, the dashing leader of the NDB, Gaudin, has already had a first success: the Minister of Defense, Parmelin, gave him 28 new positions in the fight against espionage and cyber-threats. This has become known today. More than 300 people are already working at NDB today. However, the additional 28 employees are not enough for the boss: he needs more staff, he said today. It is about the security of the country. Gaudin, if he does not get more funds, no one should accuse him later that the NDB did not do this or that.
The boss puts pressure. And is confident. He thinks his message will be well received by the Federal Council, said Jean-Philippe Gaudin. The new head of the press service is thirsty for resources and overflowing with confidence.
Dominik Meier
Publisher of the Federal Palace, SRF
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