In article ,
says...

How was the controller going to know that his avoidance order conflicted
with the TCAS resolutions?


OK, I went back and read the article you pointed to before replying this time.
I agree it's a pretty good article, and leaves some unknowns and imponderables.
There are significant differences between the (relatively forgiving) writer's
description of the events and the (comparatively harsh) accounts given by the
European press at the time. One would imagine that the article written by the
technically qualified author would give a more faithful account - although
some of the indispoutable facts at the time did not help the Swiss controllers.
Notably the fact they immediately tried to blame the accident on the Russian
crew, saying they did not respect their clearances. This was vociferously
refuted, and finally disproven, leaving the Swiss controllers with a bit of a
credibility problem. There may also have been some "opportunism" on the part of
the French controllers, who made public statements condemning their swiss
counterparts (perhaps trying to shield from any attention coming their own way
in the investigation).

The article suggests the controller was preoccupied with getting the phone
system working. The press articles at the time suggested instead he was
blocking the phone system with an extended, personal call, and was either
oblivious to or uncaring of the fact that the emergency line was out of order.
There is a significant difference in responsibility assumed between these two
versions.

This being Europe, it is likely the controller(s) will be charged in the
investigation, and hauled into court sometime over the next few years to find
out whether their actions will be considered "criminal" or not. At that time we
could expect to have a full and detailed report of the whole thing. Sad story,
in every aspect.

GF