Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Ogi slams right-wing demonstrators

This content was published on Aug 3, 2000 In a strongly worded statement, published on the front page of Thursday’s mass circulation Blick newspaper, Ogi said it was disgraceful that right-wing radicals should have disturbed the speech on the Rütli meadow – the place where Switzerland’s forefathers founded the Swiss Confederation in 1291. Ogi recalled that Switzerland’s wartime military leader, General Henri Guisan,…

Swiss Politics

Ministers stress openness and solidarity on national day

This content was published on Aug 1, 2000 The president, Adolf Ogi, said it was time for Switzerland to join the United Nations. Standing on what he called the “balcony of Switzerland” in Crans-Montana in canton Valais, Ogi said he wanted the country to play a decisive role in world politics. He said it was no longer enough for Switzerland to show solidarity…

Swiss Politics

Ogi calls upon Swiss abroad to share confidence in future

This content was published on Aug 1, 2000 Speaking against a background of church bells in his home town of Kandersteg, Ogi expressed confidence that the Swiss were prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. He expressed confidence in the future of the country. Switzerland is “evolving; it’s moving; it’s progressing,” he said. In his message to the more than 500,000 Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Government to continue repatriating asylum seekers to war-torn Sri Lanka

This content was published on Jul 28, 2000 On Wednesday, the Refugee Council urged authorities to allow Tamils to stay on in Switzerland because of a drastic deterioration in the country’s human rights situation. However, the Federal Office for Refugees said asylum seekers would be returned to the capital, Colombo, rather than to regions in the northeast which are embroiled in the fighting…

Swiss Politics

Fate of indigenous peoples debated in Geneva

This content was published on Jul 27, 2000 Those taking part in the gathering include Lapps and Samis from the Arctic to Australian Aborigines, Canadian Inuits and Kalahari Bushmen. The Geneva talks, held under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, have been tackling a wide range of contentious issues, including land rights, the use of resources on those…

Swiss Politics

Ogi in Washington for defence talks

This content was published on Jul 27, 2000 Ogi, who is also defence minister, is understood to be preparing the procurement of between eight and 11 American F/A-18 fighters, to add to Switzerland’s 36 such planes, already in service. However, his meeting with Cohen will also focus on the situation in the Balkans, in particular to assess the vulnerability of Serbia’s sister republic,…

Swiss Politics

Government happy with outcome of Colombia talks

This content was published on Jul 26, 2000 A Swiss foreign ministry spokesman, Livio Zanolari, said the talks marked the beginning of international involvement in the search for peace in Colombia. Around 80 people took part in the two-day meeting between the Colombian government and rebels of the country’s second largest guerrilla force, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN). The meeting was hosted…

Swiss Politics

Colombian peace talks end without concrete results

This content was published on Jul 26, 2000 In a generally worded statement by the Swiss government, which was hosting the talks, the Colombian government, the rebel negotiators and members of civil society agreed to continue the dialogue. The rebel representatives in attendance were members of Colombia’s second largest guerrilla force, the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) with 6,000 men under arms. In…

Swiss Politics

China backs away from snubbing Swiss president

This content was published on Jul 24, 2000 A spokesman for the defence ministry in Berne confirmed that the two presidents would meet during Ogi’s visit, which will mark the 50th anniversary of Swiss diplomatic relations with China. Ogi had threatened to cancel his trip unless he was granted an audience with Jiang. China held out the prospect of a diplomatic snub following…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland hosts Colombian peace talks

This content was published on Jul 24, 2000 The foreign ministry described Switzerland’s role as that of a facilitator. But the Colombian authorities have said they may ask the Swiss to mediate between government envoys and the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN). A senior foreign ministry official in Berne said Switzerland had won trust on both sides through its moves to ensure the…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Ogi slams right-wing demonstrators

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Ministers stress openness and solidarity on national day

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Ogi calls upon Swiss abroad to share confidence in future

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Government to continue repatriating asylum seekers to war-torn Sri Lanka

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Fate of indigenous peoples debated in Geneva

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Ogi in Washington for defence talks

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Government happy with outcome of Colombia talks

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Colombian peace talks end without concrete results

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China backs away from snubbing Swiss president

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Switzerland hosts Colombian peace talks

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