The US ambassador taunts the federal government

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Switzerland is not doing enough – at least not to the taste of Scott Miller, the US ambassador in Bern. There are resins in the Russian sanctions: Above all, the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (Seco) itself thinks it is doing enough, Miller told the “NZZ”. “I hope we can continue to count on Seco as a partner.” Sanctions are only as strong as the political will behind them.

The fact that Switzerland approved the sanctions against Russia at the end of February 2022 was also thanks to Miller’s intervention: there would certainly have been several talks. “I think I was able to make the US position quite clear. Switzerland should not be used to circumvent sanctions against Russia. That was a message that got across.”

“Block another 50 to 100 billion”

The United States has learned of the 7.75 billion Swiss francs in Russian assets frozen in Switzerland. But: “Switzerland could block another 50 to 100 billion,” says Miller. However, this requires international coordination agreements and dialogues such as the “Russian Elites, Proxies and Oligarchs” task force.

He calls on Switzerland to participate. “Switzerland would then be part of the discussion on how to collect these funds within the framework of the international and domestic law of the states involved. So far, Switzerland has shown no willingness to participate in the task force.” Countries not involved in seizing Russian funds would come under pressure.

Ensure that weapons can be quickly re-exported

In terms of the arms supply debate, Switzerland is in its worst crisis since World War II. “She is confronted with what neutrality means. We understand and respect them,” said the US ambassador. “But it is not a static construct. Switzerland cannot call itself neutral and allow one or both parties to use its laws to its own advantage.”

Only Russia, which violates all principles of international law, currently benefits from the re-export ban. “The United States and most of the international community that supports Ukraine believe that the Swiss parliament should allow re-exports as soon as possible,” Miller said. If Switzerland had assumed that Swiss war material would never be used in conflicts, it should never have supplied arms to other countries. (SDA)

Source:Blick