The Swiss are Coming!

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We interrupt this bulleting for an important newscast: Switzerland has just invaded Liechtenstein.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6415531.stm


Swiss in Liechtenstein 'invasion'

The traditionally neutral Swiss army has staged an unplanned invasion after troops blundered into Liechtenstein.

A 171-strong Swiss company got two kilometres into its neighbour before realising the mistake and heading back.

Liechtenstein authorities made light of the intrusion, saying they only knew about it when the Swiss told them.

In 1985, the Swiss had to pay Liechtenstein compensation when rockets fired by its army went astray and set a forest ablaze.

'All so dark'

The latest incident began on Wednesday night during a routine training exercise for the infantrymen in the Alpine forests close to an unmarked section of the border.

The company commander led his men in the wrong direction in bad weather but gave the immediate order to return when realising the error.

"It was all so dark," one soldier told the Swiss newspaper Blick.

A spokesman for the Liechtenstein authorities said: "It's not like they invaded with attack helicopters."

The BBC's Paul Legg says the incident is embarrassing for the Swiss but not as bad as the one in 1985.

The countries became embroiled in a lengthy dispute when the protected forest was set on fire.

 

The swiss are cute. Mean people say they are slow, but that's just how they talk.

I remember that a couple of years back a squad of Swiss spies got caught in Austria observing an Austrian military maneuver. They iirc had all identical equipment, including uniform dresses, swiss army knives, etc. Evidently very unconspicious.

But that said, don't get them angry.

 

I think I remember that too.

Bah! The Swiss are the sneaks in residence.
They reside on their mountain and scheme, I am certain of it.

Btw, where's Y(I)ago wandered off to?

 

Well in Finland there are Russian "berrypickers" near just about every major military exercise we have. So Swiss are not the only ones who can be "very unconspicious".

Not much to discuss about this though considering that it was a simple mistake. The Russians violate our airspace on monthly basis (they keep on claiming that it's a mistake but in truth they just can't be bothered to change their flying route to Kaliningrad) and even a Swedish submarine was discovered near Aland not too many years ago.

 

Not worth much of a hoo-hah but still funny nevertheless. I wonder what happened to the commander of that company of soldiers?

 

I hope he didn't get into too much trouble. Still, I can imagine him having to retake basic orienteering courses . Of course, if Switzerland is planning to take over the Liechtenstein, his fate may be different (insert ominous music here). We'll see when the Swiss flag flies over Vaduz as the noble Swiss overthrow the evil Liechtensteinian empire .

Okay, my bad: technically Liechtenstein is only a principality, but monarchies are monarchies, right ? That's what I can appreciate here: even if you want to take over the world, you should start small. Face it, a lot of people can't even point Liechtenstein on a map.

 

Liechtenstein must not be denied the blessings of democracy. Expect troops to march in quickly, free the Liechtensteinians from the cruel yoke of monarchy, finally give them self-determination, and hang the evil Prince of Liechtenstein. The march of democracy is unstoppable.

Hah, the swiss hung their nobility themselves, and they still have their odd little democracy. Maybe the do-it-yourself part in a revolution is the secret to perpetuating its success.

 

Let's just keep something in mind here - Liechtenstein is basically a single river valley in the mountains, with 33,997 people; barely enough population for some people's criterion for a 'city' {mine is 1) 30,000 ppl. or more, 2) at least two traffic lights, 3) at least three Tim Horton's shops }

Just a little stats to get perspective here:
Liechtenstein's area: 160.4km^2 (all land, bodies of water are negligible)

City of New York's land area: 785.6km^2

Heck, I'm not surprised the company accidentally drove into L; I'm surprised they noticed and managed to stop before they drove through the principality and into Austria!

I'd say it'd be more likely to try to invade it on a dark and stormy night, and MISS.

That said, it sounds like a nice, placid place and likely a great place to live, as well as just about the best place to HQ your corporation:

That's what it was! the 'invasion' was actually a failed mass-desertion! The 171 troops wanted to get outta the Swiss military and immigrate to a country that doesn't have a military; I bet the only 'getting lost' part was where they accidentally ended up back in Switzerland!

 

Liechtenstein is indeed so small that there is an agreement between them and Switzerland that the Swiss are doing their diplomacy. Cheaper for Liechtenstein. The countries are on very friendly terms.

[ March 12, 2007, 23:29: Message edited by: Ragusa ]

 

Surely an Swiss offensive will begin by the banks calling in debts?

 

Maybe, but that's if they want to be methodical. Considering how long it would take to overrun the entire country, the Swiss might be tempted to just make a slightly longer "foray."

 

Taking over the country ? I could do that with a single fart, preferably on any given mondaymorning. So if i can do that, so can the Swiss, especially with all those suspicious smelling cheeses they consume overthere.