Swiss Abroad

Geneva and Vaud set to remain apart

This content was published on Jun 2, 2002 While the number of people backing the idea of a Lake Geneva super-canton is growing, the chances of a merger are slim. Analysts say a yes vote of more than 20 per cent would be considered a success. The arguments for a marriage are persuasive: a powerhouse French-speaking region that could counterbalance the weight of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss outline UN priorities

This content was published on May 29, 2002 The government is accelerating preparations for membership ahead of September 10, when it is expected to address the UN General Assembly for the first time as a member. Swiss voters approved joining the world body last March. The cabinet said on Wednesday that it would focus Switzerland’s resources within the UN on three areas –…

Swiss peacekeepers dust off their arms

This content was published on May 29, 2002 A year after voters decided to allow Swiss peacekeepers to be armed on missions abroad, the cabinet has told Austria that the Swisscoy mission in Kosovo no longer requires its protection. Austrian troops have been guarding unarmed Swiss soldiers in the Yugoslav province since they were deployed as part of the international peacekeeping effort in…

Swiss Politics

Blatter wins second term

This content was published on May 29, 2002 Despite having allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement levelled against him by his rivals, the 66-year-old Blatter comfortably secured a second term on Wednesday. With 139 votes against Hayatou’s 56, the man from canton Valais was able to secure the necessary two-thirds of the total ballot required to avoid a second round of voting. “Deep…

Swiss ready to join the world, says Deiss

This content was published on May 28, 2002 Speaking during the second day of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly in Lucerne, Deiss said Switzerland had for centuries shown a marked resistance to participate on the world’s political stage, despite its strong economic presence. He said the country was now set to play a more decisive role within international organisations, such as the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss host Council of Europe

This content was published on May 27, 2002 It will be only the second time in its history that the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly has decamped from Strasbourg to Switzerland. Lausanne had the honour in 1987. Around 200 of the assembly’s 600 parliamentarians will be making the trip for their spring session, which runs from May 27-29, following an invitation from the…

UNHCR chief awarded Liberty Prize

This content was published on May 25, 2002 The prize worth SFr100,000 was handed to the former Dutch prime minister at a ceremony at the University of St Gallen for “relaunching the Dutch economy” and for stimulating employment. Responsible modernisation The Max Schmidheiny Foundation seeks to promote “outstanding scientific, political and entrepreneurial initiatives and achievements that safeguard individual freedom and responsibility.” In a…

Swiss Politics

Swiss to take UN hot seat in Georgia

This content was published on May 24, 2002 Tagliavini, currently Switzerland’s ambassador to Bosnia-Herzogovina, will also head the UN Observer Mission in the country (UNOMIG) and is expected to take up the job in July. Tagliavini told swissinfo that she felt very proud at being appointed head of UNOMIG. “I feel very honoured, and I think Switzerland feels very much honoured that we…

Swiss Politics

Swiss politicians forge links with US Congress

This content was published on May 24, 2002 One direct result of his visit was a decision for a Swiss delegation to travel to the US next year to meet a group of its American counterparts. Briner, president of the Swiss-US parliamentary association, spent three days in Washington meeting US Congressmen. “We want to get in touch with members of Congress who have…

Swiss Politics

Blatter confident of re-election

This content was published on May 24, 2002 “At the start of the year Mr Blatter received more than 100 letters of support from football associations around the world,” Blatter’s personal advisor Markus Ziegler told swissinfo on Friday, “and since arriving in Asia he has continued to receive many positive signs.” Although not wishing to be drawn on the number of votes Blatter…

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Geneva and Vaud set to remain apart

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Swiss outline UN priorities

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Swiss peacekeepers dust off their arms

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Blatter wins second term

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Swiss ready to join the world, says Deiss

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Swiss host Council of Europe

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UNHCR chief awarded Liberty Prize

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Swiss to take UN hot seat in Georgia

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Swiss politicians forge links with US Congress

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Blatter confident of re-election

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