Sweden has 'secret plan' to tip Swiss Gripen vote

[Mr. Goobii]

Sweden has a secret action plan to influence a referendum in Switzerland on the purchase of 22 new Jas Gripen fighter jets by the Swiss air force, according to Swedish media reports.

litary officials, high ranking civil servants in the government, and seven ministers are aware of the plan, Sveriges Radio (SR) reported.

Both Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Trade Minister Ewa Björling claim, however, that they are unaware of any such plan.

Among other things, the letter details how the embassy "is arranging interviews and pitching positive articles about Sweden" to the Swiss press. However, Thöresson describes the actions as "regular embassy work". "It's not a list to influence opinion; it's a list of events we have planned," he told SR.

The broadcaster reported that Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer asked for the Swedes for help in winning a May 18th referendum on the country's purchase of Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets. Outreach efforts are meant to reach all Swiss voters, with Maurer requesting Gripen demonstration flights every six weeks, include a showing at World Cup skiing races planned in March.

READ THE WHOLE AT;
http://www.thelocal.se/20140212/sweden-secret-plan-to-sway-swiss-gripen-vote-report

[Mr. Goobii]

Do you think it's okay that other countries are trying to influence the democratic vote on which party and companies that will govern a country?
Or is it just a part of the game and the diplomatic controlled unit?

// Gunnar

[Exterminator]

It happens all the time.
Governments often consult and influence eachother, sometimes willingly and sometimes unwillingly.

This is a very moderate case if anything, plus it is not like they bribed their officials (On paper atleast). They're advertising.

[Mr. Goobii]

You're right. Things just look so messy when the truth comes up... They confirmed that they have withdrawn the campaign though not the deal.

The weapon industry is very important for Sweden, it holds a big part of the welfare system going and no political party in Sweden wants to shut it down. (2010) ... So we hope that the Swiss Agreement with the SAAB Systems will hold for many years to come.