Cluster: Swiss Abroad

No sign of missing Swiss environmentalist

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 Nothing has been heard from Manser since he disappeared in the Malaysian province of Sarawak last year. The Swiss ambassador to Malaysia, Rudolf Staub, has concluded a three-day fact-finding mission to Sarawak, but has not been able to find any new evidence of what happened to Manser following his disappearance. Staub had hoped his personal…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland expands international peace role

This content was published on Mar 2, 2001 “Our contribution to peace and security efforts globally has increased continuously and this reflects the will of the government to play a more important role in the efforts of the international community for peace and security,” Ambassador Peter Maurer, who is the head of human rights and humanitarian affairs at the foreign ministry, told swissinfo.…

Swiss Politics

Swiss to vote on fast-track negotiations with European Union

This content was published on Mar 1, 2001 Supporters of the initiative, known as “Yes to Europe”, say it is important for Switzerland to push ahead with EU integration as quickly as possible. Parliament, the government and many industry leaders, however, have come out against the initiative, saying such a step is premature. The government, which sees EU membership as a longer-term goal,…

Swiss Politics

Swiss to vote on arming peacekeepers

This content was published on Mar 1, 2001 The government announced on Thursday that a referendum would take place on July 10, after two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) collected enough signatures to force a nationwide vote on the issue. The NGOs involved were the Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland (CINS), and the Group for a Switzerland without an Army (GSoA). The GSoA…

Swiss Politics

Ogi post to raise profile of world sport

This content was published on Feb 28, 2001 “The creation of this new post shows that the UN has recognised the great rise in importance of international sport,” Ogi said shortly after his appointment was announced. Describing his new assignment as an interesting challenge and a major exercise, the former Swiss sports minister gave a recent example of the way in which sport…

Swiss Politics

Ogi named as top United Nations sports envoy

This content was published on Feb 28, 2001 The UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, issued a statement on Wednesday appointing Ogi. He will have the task of meeting world sports leaders “to promote support and understanding for the work and ideals of the UN,” said the statement. Ogi will be Annan’s special envoy in the sporting world. Ogi told swissinfo, “I will represent the…

Swiss Politics

Ogi seen as strong contender to join Olympic Committee

This content was published on Feb 28, 2001 The Swiss Olympic Federation – of which Ogi is honorary president – confirmed on Wednesday that it had put Ogi forward as a candidate for IOC membership. Federation boss, Marco Blatter, said Ogi had a good chance of securing a seat, even though Switzerland is already over-represented, with five members on the committee. Ogi confirmed…

Swiss Politics

Defence minister unveils major reform of Swiss army

This content was published on Feb 28, 2001 Unveiling the new defence policy, known as “Army 21”, on Tuesday, Schmid said the army would be streamlined into a single, reactive unit, removing traditional distinctions between various divisions and regiments. He said the annual defence budget would be SFr4.3 billion ($2.56 billion), despite ongoing pressure from many parliamentarians to reduce it further. Under the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss ambassador heading for Borneo to track missing activist

This content was published on Feb 27, 2001 The Swiss ambassador to Malaysia, Rudolf Staub, is due to hold talks with officials in charge of Manser’s case in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, in an attempt to establish the whereabouts of the Basel activist. “We are trying very intensively to find Manser,” Swiss foreign ministry spokeswoman, Daniela Stoffel, told swissinfo. “Ambassador Staub will…

Swiss Politics

Russia allows first Swiss aid convoy to return

This content was published on Feb 25, 2001 The customs office is still waiting for the payment before releasing the final convoy of second-hand army supplies, a Swiss foreign ministry spokesman said. The payment demand goes against a deal agreed earlier this month by the Russian foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, during a meeting in Bern with his Swiss counterpart, Joseph Deiss. Once the…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

More

No sign of missing Swiss environmentalist

More

Switzerland expands international peace role

More

Swiss to vote on fast-track negotiations with European Union

More

Swiss to vote on arming peacekeepers

More

Ogi post to raise profile of world sport

More

Ogi named as top United Nations sports envoy

More

Ogi seen as strong contender to join Olympic Committee

More

Defence minister unveils major reform of Swiss army

More

Swiss ambassador heading for Borneo to track missing activist

More

Russia allows first Swiss aid convoy to return

Popular Stories

Most Discussed