Swiss Abroad

Swiss press decries North Korea nuclear test

This content was published on Oct 10, 2006 Newspaper editorials reflected on the difficult steps ahead and the possible responses of the world powers with their limited options. On Monday North Korea announced that it had carried out an underground nuclear test. The Swiss government condemned the test and said it was ready to support United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang. The Swiss reaction…

Swiss Politics

Rightwing fears financial pressure from EU

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which forced a nationwide vote on the issue scheduled for November 26, said on Monday the payment could prompt further financial demands from the European Union. Party President Ueli Maurer warned that Switzerland could incur unpredictable costs if voters approved a pledge by parliament and the government to spend SFr1…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland condemns North Korea nuclear test

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 The foreign ministry statement came after North Korea announced on Monday that it had carried out an underground nuclear test. In a strongly worded communiqué, the Swiss government described the reported test as “counter to international efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and a threat to the security of the region”. Neutral Switzerland…

Swiss Politics

Former Swiss ambassador sings Annan’s praises

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 Jenö Staehelin, the first-ever Swiss ambassador to the UN, told swissinfo ahead of the announcement why Kofi Annan has been such an influential figure for Switzerland. swissinfo: What is your assessment of the ten years of the UN with Kofi Annan at the helm? Jenö Staehelin: The first five years were very positive. They ended…

Swiss Politics

Swiss embassy in Tehran beefs up security

This content was published on Oct 8, 2006 The statement followed a report by the Südostschweiz am Sonntag newspaper, which alleged that there were “definite threats” against the Swiss delegation in Iran. “Security measures have been stepped up over the past few weeks at the embassy,” foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Philippe Jeannerat confirmed on Sunday. Jeannerat added that since the Lebanon crisis in July…

Swiss Politics

Greens make progress towards elections of 2007

This content was published on Oct 6, 2006 The election barometer 2007, which has just given first indications of next year’s parliamentary elections, says that if voters had their say now, the Greens would make clear gains and the centre-right Radicals would be the losers. The rightwing Swiss People’s Party, the centre-left Social Democrats and the centre-right Christian Democrats would maintain their positions.…

Swiss Politics

Parliament backs funds for much-needed crèches

This content was published on Oct 3, 2006 After several months of ping-pong, the House of Representatives agreed on Monday to follow the Senate by approving a SFr120 million ($96.5 million) credit for the creation of nursery places over the next four years. Young families in Switzerland face a major lack of crèches. It is estimated that 50,000 places are needed to meet…

Swiss Politics

Weapons ban wins support among young Swiss

This content was published on Oct 2, 2006 The demand was one in a series of petitions approved by the 15th Youth Session held in the mountain resort of Laax in southeastern Switzerland on behalf of the federal parliament. The petition, which won a majority of the 180 representatives in Monday’s plenary session, wants to outlaw firearms, including army weapons, in private homes.…

Swiss Politics

New army structure comes under fire

This content was published on Oct 1, 2006 Opponents, mainly from the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, have criticised the reorganisation as hasty, unreasonable and even unconstitutional. The defence ministry has also come under fire from the three other main political parties, including the centre-left Social Democrats. The debate in the House of Representatives during the final week of parliament’s autumn session comes three…

Swiss Politics

The cradle of international humanitarian law

This content was published on Oct 1, 2006 As depository of the Geneva Conventions, Switzerland partly owes its peaceful reputation to Henry Dunant, whose experiences of the Battle of Solferino would have a profound effect on his life. The Battle of Solferino was a violent confrontation between the Franco-Sardinian Alliance and the Austrian army for the independence of Italy that was fought on…

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Swiss press decries North Korea nuclear test

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Rightwing fears financial pressure from EU

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Switzerland condemns North Korea nuclear test

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Former Swiss ambassador sings Annan’s praises

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Swiss embassy in Tehran beefs up security

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Greens make progress towards elections of 2007

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Parliament backs funds for much-needed crèches

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Weapons ban wins support among young Swiss

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New army structure comes under fire

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The cradle of international humanitarian law

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