Swiss Find Evidence of CIA Spy Attempt

AP ^ | 27 Oct 2006 | AP

[FLOutdoorsman]

BERN, Switzerland -- Swiss authorities have found enough evidence to seek a full investigation into allegations the CIA was trying to obtain personal details of about 500 labor union members, most of them Arabs, officials said Friday.

Espionage by foreign agents in Switzerland is illegal and often results in expulsion of the suspects.

The investigations began Sept. 12, the same day the daily tabloid Blick first reported that an unidentified CIA agent based at the U.S. Embassy in Bern had paid a Swiss informant in an attempt to obtain information about Arabs in Switzerland suspected of involvement in terrorist financing.

Jeanette Balmer, spokeswoman of the Federal Prosecutor's Office, said intensive investigations have confirmed those suspicions.

"Moreover, the people in question in the case could be identified," she said.

Balmer told The Associated Press authorities had been investigating illegal activity by a foreign state and espionage. She said the prosecutor's office would now seek a warrant from the governing Cabinet which is required for authorities to continue their investigation in cases classed as "political crimes."

[FLOutdoorsman]

Seems that the Swiss have a bad history of helping evil people.

CIA, come on, work on the tradecraft.

[george76]

" Espionage by foreign agents in Switzerland is illegal and "

Switzerland was, is, and will be full of spies

[cripplecreek]

The Swiss should consider the alternative. Afghanistan has mountains too.

[Spktyr]

The good news: The CIA is obviously doing it's work.
The bad news: The CIA's tradecraft is still just as bad as always.

[Darkwolf377]

I wish these people were as concerned with rooting out terrorists.

[GodfearingTexan]

well, at least one person in the cia is trying to get some info...

[Jaysun]

Go CIA (but do a better job, obviously)!

[Red6]

Terrorists need rights and are the victims of course.

CIA, they now are the bad guys and evil. Baaaaad America!/sarc

Have you ever noticed the the world according to a liberal is ass backwards? The murderer on death-row is the victim. The burglar who got shot is the victim. The terrorist is misunderstood and pushed to do it. The pedophile is a victim of a horrible psychological disease.......

[FlyVet]

I was hoping they were over there investigating Bill and Hillary's bank accounts.

[p[adre29]

Groan, to true.

[all_mighty_dollar]

>>I was hoping they were over there investigating Bill and Hillary's bank accounts.<<

Ditto

[petertare]

Exactly. The Swiss were not harmed with the occasional weapons trade to the 3rd Reich (no harm done). Then of course the little matter with unreturned bank accounts to survivors of the ovens. Minor ethics stumbles I guess.

And now perhaps sheltering those financiers that seek to fund those intending to kill us all..

Scenic country though and nice people..

Theres gold in them thar hills by golly

[ARealMothersSonForever]

It is NOT a crime in Switzerland to be an economic observer. That is all that was happening. Heck, the Swiss have economic observers here in the US.

[theDentist]

...an unidentified CIA agent based at the U.S. Embassy in Bern had paid a Swiss informant in an attempt to obtain information about Arabs in Switzerland suspected of involvement in terrorist financing.

Good. I hope he was previously successful at it. I'd imagine Scarecrow Pelosi will be griping about it come the Sunday morning talk shows.

[Valin]

I'm shocked. SHOCKED I say! The CIA spying on another country...what is this world coming too?

[pawdoggie]

The good news: The CIA is obviously doing it's work. The bad news: The CIA's tradecraft is still just as bad as always.

I wouldn't bee too hard on the CIA, the Swiss have been protecting bad guy finances for many years. They're very good at it.

[AWG]

With a little luck the CIA will be able to link their actions to the South American cocaine or Southwest Asian heroin trade. Those activities are still OK in the Swiss (banking) world. Nod nod, wink wink. Just don't offend anyone. And don't spank your kids. You'll do time.

[DaveTesla]

"The investigations began Sept. 12, the same day the daily tabloid Blick first reported that an unidentified CIA agent based at the U.S. Embassy in Bern had paid a Swiss informant in an attempt to obtain information about Arabs in Switzerland suspected of involvement in terrorist financing."

Just how is this espionage?

Seems to me that the Swiss should be rooting out terrorist monies not concealing them.

Just like the old days with Adolf right Switzerland?

And when the mad dogs you provide cover for start burning
your country just like France?

They will be laughing all the way to your bank.

[DaveTesla]

The Anti-American.Press.
makes me sick.

[omega4179]

Dear Swiss, it is the CIAs job to monitor since you won't do it.