Downsize for the Embassy in Kuwait

Equal to twice the inspectors of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), travelled in 2017 and 2018 on the Arabian Peninsula. In eight days, you have examined the books of the Swiss Embassy in Kuwait. In the smart building Consul you annotated lists of guests, sighted expense receipts, lease agreements present. After that, your conclusion was a little flattering.

In Reports in the Sunday Newspapers, having regard to the public law, insight, demanded, criticized the inspectors of the EDA clearly a careless handling of taxpayers ' money. In March 2017, they called for the first time, an Intervention of the Berne Headquarters, In the branch at a Prime location in Kuwait city, Federal funds would not be used appropriately. Not have been criticised for lavish banquets. On the contrary, The inspectors complained that the expensive and prestigious facilities would be used far to little.

The focus had to be the only moderately intense representation of activity of the former Ambassador A. D. Its activities for the protection of Switzerland's Interests "modest", noted in a report. While his predecessor had targeted per month five official invitations, didn't make it D. once on an occasion per month.

lump-sum expense allowance of 32'500 Swiss francs

The only sporadic events are according to the auditors in relation to the representation of the tasks to the available resources: After all, the residence of the Ambassador (rent: around 140'000 Swiss francs), which is equipped with an additional professional kitchen. In order to provide guests with a housekeeper and an additional representation budget of 36'000 Swiss francs.

For expenses, the Ambassador also received a lump-sum expense allowance of 32'500 Swiss francs. Even if in Kuwait annually, 30 invitations to be geared, would have to be reckoned with "considerable cost per invitation" of 4600 francs. The amount is still not the meals are included and catering costs.

The Ambassador was. to North Europe

enables Quiet it was in the Embassy, after it had been downgraded to an "interests of safeguarding the presence of a base" back Eight local Embassy staff were dismissed. In addition to the mission chief, two Clerks, a driver and a housekeeper for Switzerland to work here today. Visa applications must be made in 500 kilometres away in Qatar. With the massive personnel Loss was removal during the operation is inevitable, says of the criticized Ambassador. The circumstances of the representation were described in the inspection report as "simplistic". Has used him, the Protest of nothing: a. d. was removed as Ambassador. Today, he works in a small representation in Northern Europe as Deputy chief of mission.

Even if D. s aligns successor today, more invitations: residence and Embassy in Kuwait are still too big. The properties correspond, according to the inspectors "in no way" an EDA-internal Directive. For a single job cost of more than 4000 Swiss francs per month today. For the Embassy and residence in Switzerland paid in Kuwait annually 285'000 CHF rent.

Therefore, Switzerland is considering a cooperation with Austria. Also the diplomats of the neighbouring lands are leased in an under-used building. Still open is whether the Swiss will pull in the Austrian Embassy, or whether the Austrians quartered in the Swiss building. The cost-conscious inspectors want to ship the remaining Swiss to the Austrians. An Argument for this: The Austrians have to pay for your seat only half as much rent. A decision is not liked, according to the EDA.

(Sunday newspaper)

Created: 30.12.2018, 00:19 PM