Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Geneva to host talks between Indonesia and Aceh rebels

This content was published on Jan 2, 2001 At least 800 people have been killed during clashes between government forces and the rebels who are fighting for an independent homeland. “Negotiations with the rebel leader Hasan Tiro, or his representative, will be continued on January 8 in Geneva,” presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar said. “President Abdurrahman Wahid wants to open dialogue as much as…

Swiss Politics

Leuenberger takes over rotating Swiss presidency

This content was published on Jan 1, 2001 Leuenberger, 54, who retains his post as transport, energy and communications minister in the cabinet, succeeds Adolf Ogi who held the post in 2000. A member of the seven-member cabinet since 1995, Leuenberger also has wide political experience at a federal level and in his home canton of Zurich. He appears popular among parliamentarians. A…

Swiss Politics

Ambassador revamps Switzerland’s image in UAE

This content was published on Dec 31, 2000 Barras, who has been in the UAE for over a year, is seeking to update the image of Switzerland among many UAE visitors, who tend to view the country as little more than a place to buy luxury goods and to escape the Gulf heat for summer holidays. He is also keen to point out…

Swiss Politics

Europe to dominate Swiss politics in coming year

This content was published on Dec 29, 2000 On March 4, Swiss voters are to cast their ballots on the so-called “Yes to Europe” initiative, which demands that the government begin immediate talks on EU membership. The government has made full EU membership a future goal, but has signalled its opposition to the initiative, saying the move is premature. Political analysts say voters…

Swiss Politics

Adolf Ogi bids farewell to power

This content was published on Dec 27, 2000 Ogi entered government in 1987 as transport, energy and communications minister and eight years later took over as defence minister. In that time, he chalked up more than 600 cabinet meetings, lasting 2,600 hours, and was involved in over 30,000 affairs of state. “It was a rich time, an interesting time, a hard time, but…

Swiss Politics

Swiss show greater support for EU and UN membership

This content was published on Dec 23, 2000 Nearly half of the people polled believe that neutral Switzerland should enter immediate negotiations on membership of the European Union. The survey of 1,005 voters also found that 78 per cent of Swiss favoured arming soldiers serving on peace-keeping missions abroad, while 63 per cent supported Swiss accession to the United Nations. All three issues…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland intervenes in Turkey over prison conditions

This content was published on Dec 21, 2000 A senior Swiss diplomat intervened at the foreign ministry in Ankara on Thursday. He asked the authorities to clarify their position, particularly on Kurdish inmates. Officials in Bern said the diplomat was given a response by the Turkish authorities, but no further details were revealed. The diplomatic intervention follows a series of protests in Switzerland…

Swiss Politics

Swiss army to undergo major reforms

This content was published on Dec 21, 2000 The outgoing defence minister, Adolf Ogi, who had championed the reforms, described the measures as a “revolution”. Under the new plan, announced on Wednesday, the current number of 360,000 active duty soldiers will be reduced to 119,000. At the same time, the number of reservists is to be cut down from 200,000 to 80,000. In…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland grants further aid to victims of violence in Palestinian territories

This content was published on Dec 19, 2000 The foreign ministry’s development aid agency said the money would go towards a United Nations organisation supporting education, health and welfare programmes. In October, Switzerland released emergency aid worth SFr150,000 for the victims of the latest wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. The funds were used to buy medicines and other medical supplies. The…

Swiss Politics

Ogi boosts bid for Euro 2008

This content was published on Dec 18, 2000 The money has been handed over as part of a new initiative to improve or replace the country’s ageing football grounds. The Football Association and the government are also hoping that the new facilities will help persuade their Austrian counterparts to join Switzerland in a joint bid for the European Championships in 2008. Work is…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Geneva to host talks between Indonesia and Aceh rebels

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Leuenberger takes over rotating Swiss presidency

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Ambassador revamps Switzerland’s image in UAE

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Europe to dominate Swiss politics in coming year

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Adolf Ogi bids farewell to power

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Swiss show greater support for EU and UN membership

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Switzerland intervenes in Turkey over prison conditions

More

Swiss army to undergo major reforms

More

Switzerland grants further aid to victims of violence in Palestinian territories

More

Ogi boosts bid for Euro 2008

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