The government wants its soldiers to be armed abroad By Imogen Foulkes in Berne A close result looks likely in Switzerland's referendum on whether the country's soldiers should carry weapons when on peacekeeping missions abroad.
Early results show they are deeply divided.
Both proposals have the support of the Swiss government, but they have aroused bitter controversy among voters - many of whom believe Switzerland's traditional neutrality will be compromised if the proposals are approved. Traditionalists say the idea of any Swiss soldier serving, let alone dying, outside his country is regarded by many Swiss as unthinkable. But the Cold War is over, regional conflicts are on the increase and some Swiss soldiers, like Lieutenant Martin Studer, are keen to take part in international peacekeeping missions. If you want to help in the sense of peacekeeping, I think it is a good thing and lots of people would like to do that. Equal footing A handful of Swiss troops are serving in Kosovo, but since they cannot carry weapons, they have to be protected by the Austrian forces.