Move To Computerise Defeats Swiss Army

General Arthur Liener, 60, who has commanded Switzerlands 400,000-strong part-time army for four years, has announced he will retire at the end of 1997, a year earlier than planned. No reason has been given for his departure but it is believed to be linked to the forthcoming publication of the findings of an investigation into recents events at Switzerlands ministry of defence.

The probe followed concern two years ago about the behaviour of Colonel Friedrich Nyffenegger. He had been charged with overseeing the armys first foray into the computer age - putting all the information needed by Switzerlands military high command on to CD-Rom computer discs.

 

Until then the information, which ranged from troop deployments to battle plans, had been updated every year in two large books which were issued to every senior officer. The CD-Roms were intended to cut costs and speed communication. The project seemed to be proceeding with typical Swiss efficiency until Col Nyffeneggers jilted wife informed the authorities that some of her husbands CD-Roms may have fallen into the wrong hands. As any soldier knows, losing ones equipment can be a court-martial offence.

At last count, Switzerland had 148 fighter jets, 730 combat tanks, 300 anti-tank guns, 1,800 mortars and 400 CD-Roms containing the secrets of the armys top brass.

There were 100 red CD-Roms with the most secret information, and another 300 with less sensitive information.

When the authorities swooped on Col Nyffeneggers home they found two of the red CD-Roms alongside his other CDs in his music collection.