Calmy-Rey sees no future for unjust regimes

The revolution in Egypt has shown that "authoritarian and unjust forms of government" have no future, according to Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey.

In an interview with the Zurich-based NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, she described the events in Egypt as unique and very impressive.

“History is taking place before our eyes,” said Calmy-Rey, who is also Switzerland’s foreign minister.

She said she hoped that all forces and parties would work together peacefully and constructively; what is now required is a credible and transparent process that includes all elements of Egyptian society.

“It is unclear whether the army can secure this,” Calmy-Rey pointed out. She added that it was Switzerland’s duty, whenever possible, to seek good relations with all nations.

It should not be, however, that some people embezzle state assets and deposit them in Swiss banks. Calmy-Rey said that this was why the Swiss government had acted so quickly and blocked the funds of ousted ex-President Hosni Mubarak.

The assets of former Tunisian dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his entourage have been frozen, too. Bern is also looking into blocking some accounts from Algeria.

“I can assure you that we are closely following the ongoing developments in Algeria,” Calmy-Rey told the SonntagsZeitung newspaper.