The four test procedures, which the Federal government leads against Pilate, have no influence on the activity of the aircraft manufacturer in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan.

The Department of foreign Affairs (FDFA) has granted a Derogation, according to which Pilate employees may support the Saudi air force in the maintenance of Training aircraft, as a Radio SRF reported.

Accordingly, I granted the EDA the permit in November, although the law allows transactions of Swiss companies during a procedure, only “exceptionally”. This, when an “overriding public or private interest” is present. The decision does not want to explain to the EDA. However, Radio SRF quoted a response from Pilate to a request of the sender: “The EDA has approved, that all the activities of Pilate in Saudi Arabia and other countries can fully run.”

Last October, told the newspaper that Pilatus had expanded its activities for the Saudi air force beginning in 2017, significantly, and the EDA was not, despite the obligation to report about it in the picture. And in February, this newspaper reported that Pilate has far more ties to the Yemen-Alliance than previously thought. So Pilate employees support the air force in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and in Qatar, which has left the Yemen-Alliance of 2017.

Parliament

For an exception permit from the EDA, the two members of Parliament voicing their opinions to Radio SRF: The green Faction leader Balthasar Glättli says Saudi Arabia and its allies waged a cruel war in Yemen. For him, the permit was, therefore, not acceptable. “It’s about the reputation of Switzerland as a neutral country.”

The cantonal FDP Council of States, Hans Wicki welcomes, however, the granting of the Exception for the Stans. “We still believe that Pilate made no mistakes.” The dispute in the Federal administration should not be on the hump of private companies held, he said.

He speaks to the conflict between the FDFA and the state Secretariat for economic Affairs (Seco), which is the case in the context. The EDA is responsible for the Export of military and security services, the Seco for the Export of armaments.

(oli)

Created: 14.03.2019, 11:14 PM