FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The 56th edition of the World Economic Forum in Davos begins on Monday, while the restricted airspace remains the same. Drone detection and protection systems, "the most modern systems" will also be deployed...
For 51 weeks of the year, Davos is a small town in the canton of Graubünden. Although located at a high altitude of 1,560 meters above sea level, the city has no more than 12,000 inhabitants.
But for a few days in mid-January, everything is different. It's the World Economic Forum (WEF), and a city within a city comes into its own. Top politicians and their negotiators, aides, media representatives, chefs and drivers descend on Davos, as do the companies that build entire houses there.
And suddenly, Davos is one of the most protected places in the world. This is especially true because of the visit of US President Donald Trump. On Friday morning, the cantonal police of Graubünden and the Swiss Army provided information about the security measures.
The government wants to allow demonstrations
Colonel Walter Schlegel, commander of the cantonal police of Graubünden, says: "123 people with protected status are participating in the World Economic Forum. Never before have so many celebrities in need of protection announced their participation."
The unstable geopolitical situation is also affecting security measures at the WEF, and there is a global threat of terrorism. "The threat level is considered high," he said.
Schlegel then lists potential dangers: left-wing extremism, growing espionage, and the threat posed by the war in Ukraine.
"The operation has already begun. So far, the situation is calm," he added.
Schlegel is working with a budget of 9 million Swiss francs for the operation. "We expect to be able to stay within this budget," the colonel stressed.
Part of the effort also includes protecting freedom of assembly and expression, says Schlegel. This was the wish of the cantonal government. Therefore, protests will be allowed. This includes demonstrations in Prättigau and Davos on Sunday and Monday.
Further demonstrations are planned in Zurich and Bern.
"But we have to guarantee safety and make the events possible," says Schlegel, adding, however, that the municipalities or canton are responsible for issuing permits.
The airspace will remain restricted. Of course, drone detection and protection systems will also be deployed, "the most modern systems", as Schlegel says. Major General Maurizio Dattrino adds: not only will the air be secured, but also the network, specifically by the army's cyber division. Addressing the residents, Dattrino says that "sometimes fulfilling our mission involves traffic and waiting times. We thank you for your understanding".
Big convoy for Trump
Trump's security must be ensured primarily by Americans themselves. This is at least based on the examples from 2018 and 2020 when he traveled to the WEF. He arrived in Davos aboard Air Force One, a modified Boeing 747. The plane can emit warning signals, jam radar systems and refuel in the air.
From Zurich, Trump is expected to fly to Davos by helicopter. Unless the weather is bad, in which case the "Beast," a 9-ton limousine, will be used. It will be accompanied by many other vehicles, including a tour car, a pilot car, a clone of the "Beast," police vehicles, several surveillance vans and an ambulance, as the Tages-Anzeiger recently noted.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) begins on Monday and lasts four days.
A total of 64 heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance. In addition to Trump, this includes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Their visit will transform the small town into a global metropolis for a few days. /Adapted from NZZ /
Lini një Përgjigje