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Politics seen through the eyes of Swiss kids

This year's president, Pascal Couchepin, has rolled out the red carpet at parliament for more than 40 children of Swiss expatriates.

Couchepin greeted the children from 12 different nations in German, French (his mother tongue), English and Spanish.

Besides answering questions about his favourite food and colour, he explained the procedure for becoming Swiss president and how difficult it is to reason with a dictator, in reference to a current diplomatic dispute with Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi.

The children are spending part of their summer vacation in Switzerland, as part of a camp organised annually by the Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad.

Every year, the foundation gives around 400 children the opportunity to get to know the homeland of their parents.

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR