Cluster: Swiss Abroad

More Swiss troops may be sent to Kosovo

This content was published on Sep 9, 2001 The statement was made in response to an article about Swiss personnel serving in Kosovo which appeared in the German-speaking newspaper, “SonntagsBlick”. But Oswald Sigg, spokesman for the defence ministry, said no decision on an increase in numbers would be made before a meeting of the cabinet and then the Swiss parliament later in the…

Swiss Politics

Leuenberger rejects criticism of air traffic deal with Germany

This content was published on Sep 9, 2001 In an interview with the Swiss newspaper, “dimanche.ch”, Leuenberger said the airport and airlines using Kloten would have suffered in the long run had he failed to reach an agreement with his German counterpart, Kurt Bodewig, when the two ministers met for talks last week. “If the negotiations had failed,” Leuenberger told the paper, “Germany…

Swiss Politics

Toblerones: a monument to Swiss wartime defences

This content was published on Sep 9, 2001 The toblerones in question are anti-tank defences built by the Swiss to slow up any possible invasion by the Nazis during the Second World War. These 16-tonne concrete obstacles sprouted like giant regimented mushrooms throughout Switzerland 60 years ago, but the line that covers the 10 kilometres from Bassins, in the Jura mountains, to the…

Swiss Politics

Couchepin reiterates Swiss government’s desire to join EU

This content was published on Sep 8, 2001 “Given our geographical position,” Couchepin writes in the paper, “and our common values of democracy and peace, as well as our economic interests, Switzerland and the European Union cannot ignore one another.” “In fact, the relationship should be quite the opposite,” the minister adds. “They must get closer together. Joining the EU remains a desirable…

Swiss Politics

Davos learns lessons from World Economic Forum summit

This content was published on Sep 6, 2001 A report commissioned by the cantonal authorities recommends that anti-globalisation groups should be allowed more involvement, and that police should exercise more restraint in curbing protests. The authors of the report, published on Thursday in the cantonal capital, Chur, said protests were inevitable at WEF meetings, given that the organisation had chosen “globalisation” as its…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland hopeful that racism conference can be salvaged

This content was published on Sep 4, 2001 Peter Maurer, deputy head of the Swiss delegation, said he was saddened that the US and Israel had withdrawn in protest at a draft declaration, which described Israel’s treatment of Palestinians as racist. “We are really sorry that they chose to walk out of the conference,” said Maurer. “We think they would have had an…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland cuts deal with Germany over air traffic

This content was published on Sep 4, 2001 The two ministers managed to reach a deal after tense negotiations. Germany had threatened to cut the number of flights allowed to use airspace over southern Germany before landing at Kloten, if no accord were reached. Details of the new agreement, which is due to be signed in Bern on October 18, came after the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss increasingly sceptical over EU membership

This content was published on Sep 3, 2001 Swiss support for EU membership has dropped 10 per cent from 34 per cent in October 2000, said Gfs, the institute which published the study. Of the 1,027 French- and German-speaking Swiss polled in June, only 24 per cent were in favour of fast-track negotiations for Swiss membership of the EU. According to the survey,…

Swiss Politics

Foot-dragging over king’s pavilion stretches Thai patience

This content was published on Aug 31, 2001 “The Thai government is astonished. It simply cannot understand all these bureaucratic complications,” says the outgoing Swiss Ambassador to Bangkok, Bernard Freymond. “This could tarnish Switzerland’s reputation in Thailand,” he told swissinfo. The pavilion is intended as a gift from the government and people of Thailand and will be dedicated to King Bhumibol, who lived…

Swiss Politics

Swiss ambassador to Macedonia “confident” conflict will end

This content was published on Aug 31, 2001 Nellen was interviewed by swissinfo in Bern, where he attended a week-long meeting of Swiss ambassadors from around the world. “We have to believe that there is a solution to the situation in Macedonia,” Nellen said. “We must be optimistic and we have to work on that basis, because there is no other way.” The…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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