Swiss Abroad

ICRC rejects Ethiopian charges after expulsion

This content was published on Jul 26, 2007 The Swiss-run humanitarian agency was on Tuesday given seven days to leave after 12 years operating in the region. The ICRC said its expulsion would hurt needy civilians. “All ICRC activities in Ethiopia are conducted in strict accordance with the principles of independence and neutrality,” Daniel Duvillard, head of ICRC operations for the Horn of…

Swiss Politics

Army blasts media over Jungfrau deaths

This content was published on Jul 26, 2007 In an attempt to provide answers to the deaths of six Swiss soldiers in the Alps two weeks ago, officials said there had been an avalanche near the accident site. But it was still unclear whether it was the direct cause. Martin Immenhauser, spokesman for the military justice department, said the military investigators appreciated the…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland wants corrections in WTO talks

This content was published on Jul 25, 2007 Wasescha said despite progress in negotiations on agriculture and industrial goods, Switzerland would push for changes in September. “We now have a solid working basis but I doubt that things can progress very quickly,” he told the Swiss news agency. Wasescha said compromise proposals put forward last week by the New Zealand ambassador, Crawford Falconer,…

Swiss Politics

Swiss reinforce anti-terrorism ties with US

This content was published on Jul 21, 2007 State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Michael Ambühl made the announcement after two days of talks in Washington on issues such as terrorism, the future status of Kosovo and the Middle East. Ambühl said the new Operative Working Arrangement (OWA), which has been approved by both chambers of the Swiss parliament, would replace an existing treaty…

Swiss Politics

Swiss call time on Lebanon relief operations

This content was published on Jul 19, 2007 Aid officials say around 120,000 people have benefited from projects put in place by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). “We have lent our support wherever it was necessary,” said the SDC’s Friedrich Steinmann. Steinmann added that although the political situation in Lebanon had deteriorated over the past few months, the Swiss had…

Swiss Politics

Swiss criticised over extraditions to Turkey

This content was published on Jul 18, 2007 They say the government’s decision to rely on “diplomatic assurances” from Turkey that suspects will not be ill-treated or tortured raises serious concerns. The Swiss foreign ministry says several extradition cases are pending before the authorities and courts involving people accused of serious crimes or acts of terrorism. It says each case will be carefully…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland “ready to return Mobutu funds”

This content was published on Jul 17, 2007 But non-governmental organisations (NGOs) say they are concerned the frozen assets will be returned to Mobutu’s family – which is what will happen at the end of 2008 unless their origin can be legally determined. Calmy-Rey made the comments on Monday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, during a ten-day official visit…

Swiss Politics

Jet d’eau “bleeds” for Darfur

This content was published on Jul 16, 2007 Campaigners and the city authorities want to remind the world of the need to find a solution to a conflict that international experts say has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions. “It won’t change anything on the ground but as a symbol it’s very important that an international city like Geneva states clearly…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland supports Vietnam’s market economy

This content was published on Jul 16, 2007 The accords, which will cost Switzerland about SFr9 million ($7.49 million) are also intended to make the communist southeast Asian nation more attractive for Swiss investors. Leuthard, who is in Vietnam after a visit to China, signed on Monday one key agreement on the protection of intellectual property with the Vietnamese minister of science and…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey visits Darfur refugees

This content was published on Jul 15, 2007 Switzerland contributes SFr3-4 million ($2.5-3.3 million) a year to the camps, which hold around 380,000 refugees and people displaced by various conflicts, including the one in neighbouring Darfur. On Sunday Calmy-Rey visited the Iridimi camp, north of Abéché, Chad’s fourth-largest city and the capital of Ouaddaï Region. More than 17,000 refugees from Darfur live in…

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