Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Swiss churches mourn victims of Middle East violence

This content was published on Dec 17, 2000 The national ceremony was arranged by the human rights organisation Amnesty International together with Switzerland’s Catholic and Protestant parishes. The organisers said they wanted in particular to celebrate the memory of those Palestinian children and teenagers killed, who they said were victims of disproportionate Israeli army force. Over 300 people have died in the region…

Swiss Politics

The week in Switzerland

This content was published on Dec 16, 2000 The capital, Bern, hosted two prominent guests. The first was Gorbachev, now head of the environmental organisation, the Green Cross, who gave a speech to parliament. In a powerful speech on disarmament, he warned of a potential human and environmental catastrophe as global powers dismantle their weapons of mass destruction. The Italian president, Carlo Azeglio…

Parliament approves funding of peace centre

This content was published on Dec 14, 2000 The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously followed the Senate in approving the financial package. The foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, said the centre had played an important role in trying to promote the acceptance of humanitarian principles in conflicts in Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia. Deiss said there was no overlap with…

Swiss Politics

Bush wins US presidency after Gore concedes defeat

This content was published on Dec 14, 2000 Gore finally conceded late on Wednesday, a day after the US Supreme Court narrowly voted against a recount of votes cast in Florida – the state which held the balance of power after the inconclusive November 7 election. In his first speech, president-elect Bush called for national reconciliation. He urged Americans to “unite in a…

Swiss Politics

European summit outcome dominates Ciampi’s Swiss visit

This content was published on Dec 13, 2000 Ciampi told the Swiss president, Adolf Ogi, and other members of the government on Wednesday that the Nice summit, which concentrated on internal voting and expansion issues, had not yielded all the results hoped for. But he said it was still a cause for satisfaction. Ciampi told his Swiss colleagues that the prospect of a…

Swiss Politics

New film aims to reveal reality behind search for asylum

This content was published on Dec 13, 2000 The film, entitled “Us and them – asylum in Switzerland” explores the fate of three asylum seekers, and describes the process they must go through to win asylum in Switzerland. The 45-minute film aims to inform the Swiss about asylum policy and to foster greater understanding of the plight of asylum seekers. The makers say…

Swiss Politics

Gorbachev warns of possible weapons catastrophe

This content was published on Dec 12, 2000 In a speech at the Swiss parliament in Bern on Tuesday, Gorbachev described the destruction of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons as one of the most important tasks facing mankind in the new millennium. And he urged western nations to do more to help Russia destroy its arsenal. He praised Switzerland for its speedy ratification…

Swiss Politics

Government leads drive for more sport

This content was published on Dec 11, 2000 With around one third of all Swiss reportedly taking too little exercise, the government is seeking the help of industry as well as the health and education sectors to promote the benefits of physical activity. The sports minister, Adolf Ogi, described the new policy as a milestone. He said it was the first time the…

Swiss Politics

Rumours of Ogi Kosovo job prove unfounded

This content was published on Dec 8, 2000 The UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Friday that Haekkerup, who is currently Danish defence minister, would take over the post currently held by Frenchman Bernard Kouchner in mid-January. Ogi was never officially offered the post, nor has disclosed details of his future career plans. However, Switzerland has been awash with speculation about Ogi’s future…

Swiss Politics

Government steps up moves towards UN membership

This content was published on Dec 8, 2000 The cabinet’s proposal to take Switzerland into the United Nations was formally presented to parliament on Friday by the president, Adolf Ogi, and the foreign minister, Joseph Deiss. Ogi said Switzerland had much to offer the UN, not least as a “model of how different cultures can live peacefully together”. The government’s proposal states that…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Swiss churches mourn victims of Middle East violence

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The week in Switzerland

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Parliament approves funding of peace centre

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Bush wins US presidency after Gore concedes defeat

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European summit outcome dominates Ciampi’s Swiss visit

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New film aims to reveal reality behind search for asylum

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Gorbachev warns of possible weapons catastrophe

More

Government leads drive for more sport

More

Rumours of Ogi Kosovo job prove unfounded

More

Government steps up moves towards UN membership

Popular Stories

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