Swiss Abroad

Powell fails to convince of need for war

This content was published on Feb 6, 2003 The Swiss ambassador to the United Nations in New York, Jenö Staehelin, said Powell had also failed to convince key Security Council members. Staehelin said Powell had succeeded in showing that Iraq had intentionally tried to get round its obligations under the UN resolution 1441, which demands that Baghdad disarm. “Iraq is now under pressure…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey sails into troubled waters

This content was published on Feb 5, 2003 Just hours after she announced a pre-war conference on Iraq, her detractors say she is banging her own drum too loudly. The sharpest criticism came from the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which said she had lost her way and was more interested in publicity than in concrete results. The People’s Party accused her of acting…

Swiss Politics

Swiss push ahead with Iraq aid conference

This content was published on Feb 4, 2003 The foreign ministry said it would be inviting experts from the three countries, as well as representatives of humanitarian aid agencies. Walter Fust, head of the Swiss government’s Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), said Swiss officials were in contact with all parties to the potential conflict. “We hope that we can host the conference…

Swiss Politics

Swiss reaffirm support for North Korea and Ivory Coast

This content was published on Feb 4, 2003 Walter Fust, director of the Swiss government’s Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), said Ivory Coast was especially in need of international attention. Speaking at the SDC’s annual conference, Fust said he feared that any deterioration in the African nation’s civil war would trigger a refugee crisis of “unimaginable proportions”. Neighbouring African states, such as…

Swiss Politics

Anti-war movement plans mass demonstrations

This content was published on Jan 30, 2003 The move is in line with anti-war groups across Europe, who will also be demonstrating on that day. The Swiss groups, which include political parties such as the Social Democrats and the Greens, as well as trades unions and aid organisations such as Heks and Caritas, expect several thousand people to take part in the…

Swiss Politics

World Social Forum fulfils expectations

This content was published on Jan 28, 2003 There was praise for the quality of the speeches and the opportunities for networking, but also criticism that the anti-globalisation event had become too large. Several members of the Swiss parliament, as well as representatives of Swiss non- governmental organisations, were among the 21,000 delegates. But no members of the cabinet attended the forum, which…

Swiss Politics

Couchepin: Powell’s speech won’t sway anti-war mood

This content was published on Jan 26, 2003 But in his reaction to the US secretary of state’s much anticipated speech, Couchepin told swissinfo it was “very good”. “He is a great speaker. But there is naturally nothing new, with the exception of his emphasis [on the need for military action],” Couchepin said. Asked whether it would help convince America’s doubters, Couchepin said:…

Swiss Politics

Marco Camenisch; a life of extremes

This content was published on Jan 25, 2003 The past 20 years of Camenisch’s life have been coloured by time spent in prison or as a fugitive from justice. The 52-year-old, whose nom de guerre is Martino, spent 11 years in Italian prisons. In 1991 he was arrested after a shoot-out with police and sentenced to 12 years in jail for carrying out…

Swiss Politics

Right wing consolidates gains

This content was published on Jan 24, 2003 The survey on voting intentions at October’s parliamentary elections showed the People’s Party share of the vote rising to 26 per cent. One of the most important trends to come out of the survey, according to political analyst, Claude Longchamp, is the strengthening of support for the political parties at either end of the political…

Swiss Politics

World Social Forum underway in Porto Alegre

This content was published on Jan 24, 2003 Lula promised the Forum, which is taking in Porto Alegre, that he would never abandon his socialist roots. “A new world order is needed that gives all children, no matter where they live, the right to food and to life,” Lula said. Lula, who flew in the Swiss resort of Davos for the World Economic…

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Powell fails to convince of need for war

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Calmy-Rey sails into troubled waters

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Swiss push ahead with Iraq aid conference

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Swiss reaffirm support for North Korea and Ivory Coast

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Anti-war movement plans mass demonstrations

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World Social Forum fulfils expectations

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Couchepin: Powell’s speech won’t sway anti-war mood

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Marco Camenisch; a life of extremes

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Right wing consolidates gains

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World Social Forum underway in Porto Alegre

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