Government launches UN campaign

The "yes" vote also has the support of the Swiss parliament swissinfo.ch

Warning of a loss of international influence if Switzerland does not join the United Nations, the government has kicked off a campaign for a "yes" vote.

The countdown is on for the March 3 nationwide vote, and supporters and opponents are trumpeting their views.

Three government ministers on Tuesday presented their case for joining the UN at a news conference in Bern. “The time is ripe for Switzerland to become a member of the United Nations,” said the Swiss president, Kaspar Villiger.

“If we are not a member, it is not to the detriment of the UN, but the detriment of Switzerland,” Villiger said.

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The Swiss are already members of most UN agencies, and Geneva plays host to many of them as well the organisation’s European headquarters. Switzerland is also one of its largest contributors despite only being an observer.

“We already pay our dues to the UN,” said foreign minister Joseph Deiss. “It’s time for us to have a few rights as well.”

For Deiss, Switzerland needs to be a part of the United Nations to have a role on the international political scene.

“Other countries aren’t as interested as they used to be in using Switzerland as a mediator,” said the foreign minister. “You have to be a part of the organisation to make your voice heard.”

One sign of the recent loss of Swiss influence in international circles was the choice of the former German capital Bonn to host the Afghan peace conference, rather than Geneva.

Neutrality issue

Opponents to membership, headed by populist right-wing politician Christoph Blocher, believe joining the organisation will lead to a loss of sovereignty and neutrality for Switzerland.

For Deiss though, concerns about UN Security Council decisions are unfounded. “A Council decision cannot force a country to act contrary to its own policies,” said the foreign minister, adding that over 60 members of the organisation have never taken part in its military operations.

Switzerland has also often applied UN decisions. “For the last 10 years, this country has aligned itself on the economic sanctions decided by the UN,” said Samuel Schmid, the defence minister.

Neutrality has also shown its limits according to Schmid. “In the minds of terrorists, we aren’t a small neutral state, but a Western economic power,” he said.

Costs of membership

Opponents have also claimed joining the UN would hurt the public purse, with the government underestimating the real cost. It is a claim the authorities refute.

“The United Nations order $240 million (SFr396 million) in goods and services from Swiss companies every year,” said Villiger, who is also the finance minister. “Switzerland’s contribution of $70 million does not seem excessive.”

Polls suggest a tight race, but the last time a vote on the issue was held, Swiss citizens rejected joining the organisation by a three-to-one majority in 1986.

Apart from Switzerland, the Vatican is the only other nation that is not a full member of the United Nations.

The majority of Swiss political parties and Parliament have backed membership.

swissinfo with agencies