Swiss Abroad

Fragile hope for Myanmar after Suu Kyi release

This content was published on May 8, 2002 Suu Kyi’s release on Monday after 19 months of house arrest is being seen as a definite sign that one of the world’s most repressive regimes is slowly loosening its grip. However, Glen Hill, coordinator of Swissaid projects in Myanmar, told swissinfo that the move was not tantamount to a shift towards democracy. “The release…

Swiss Politics

Voters hail Chirac victory

This content was published on May 5, 2002 “Of course, I’m extremely pleased with the result,” said Thérèse Espinet, the representative for Chirac’s Rally for the Republic Party (RPR) in Switzerland. “Around midday on Sunday, there was a queue of people 50 metres long in front of the [French] consulate in Geneva waiting to vote.” Not only did Chirac win 89.6 per cent…

Swiss sign Europe-wide ban on death penalty

This content was published on May 3, 2002 The Council of Europe presented the 13th protocol of European Convention on Human Rights in Vilnius, Lithuania. It is the first international treaty to abolish capital punishment entirely. The Swiss foreign ministry said the aim was “a Europe without capital punishment”. Peacetime executions are already outlawed by the Convention’s sixth protocol, which went into effect…

Swiss Politics

Swiss add some colour to Washington politics

This content was published on May 2, 2002 Almost 200 sculptures of the animals – long-standing symbols of the United States’ Republican and Democratic parties – have been painted by dozens of artists, from professionals to school children. The brainchild of Washington DC mayor Anthony Williams, the “Party Animals” project aims to use the decorated animals – which are about 1.5 metres in…

Swiss Politics

Israeli intransigence leaves UN red-faced

This content was published on May 2, 2002 The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, decided on Wednesday to abandon efforts to send a fact-finding mission into the Jenin refugee camp to investigate an alleged Israeli massacre. Given Israel’s opposition to the probe, he said he saw no way it could carry out its investigation in the near future. The events in Israel over…

Swiss Politics

Borer ends diplomatic career

This content was published on Apr 28, 2002 He confirmed on Saturday that he would be staying in Berlin and returning to the private sector to advise companies with interests in Switzerland, Germany and the United States. In announcing his decision, Borer had some harsh words for the Swiss foreign ministry. “This step is necessary for personal and professional reasons, including my ministry’s…

Christian Democrats reject changes to abortion law

This content was published on Apr 27, 2002 Delegates to the centre-right party’s meeting in Gerlafingen, canton Solothurn, voted by 201 to 73 against a government-backed initiative to legalise abortion. They also rejected the “For Mother and Child” initiative, which calls for a strict ban on abortion, except in extreme circumstances, by 259 votes to 4. The two votes are in line with…

Swiss Politics

Jenin team’s mission delayed

This content was published on Apr 27, 2002 The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, agreed to a request for a one-day delay from the Israeli foreign minister, Shimon Peres. But the UN refused to give in to pressure from Israel to omit the former Red Cross chief, Cornelio Sommaruga, from the high-level mission to the Palestinian refugee camp. The UN undersecretary-general for political…

Read more: Jenin team’s mission delayed

Swiss Politics

Swiss government sticks to banking secrecy

This content was published on Apr 24, 2002 The announcement comes after days of speculation in the Swiss press that the government might be prepared to make concessions on banking secrecy in order to conclude a second set of bilateral agreements with the European Union. Brussels wants a compromise on banking secrecy to ensure that Switzerland complies with EU legislation on the prosecution…

Swiss Politics

Blatter set for Stockholm showdown

This content was published on Apr 24, 2002 Lennart Johansson, the president of European football body UEFA and a former rival for Blatter’s position, has been highly critical of the FIFA president’s tenure. On Thursday the two men are set to meet at a UEFA congress in the Swedish capital. On the eve of the congress Johansson launced a further attack on Blatter’s…

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Fragile hope for Myanmar after Suu Kyi release

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Voters hail Chirac victory

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Swiss sign Europe-wide ban on death penalty

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Swiss add some colour to Washington politics

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Israeli intransigence leaves UN red-faced

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Borer ends diplomatic career

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Christian Democrats reject changes to abortion law

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Jenin team’s mission delayed

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Swiss government sticks to banking secrecy

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Blatter set for Stockholm showdown

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