Swiss Abroad

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…

Swiss Politics

Alternative Davos opens with criticism of US

This content was published on Jan 23, 2003 They have been organised by anti-globalisation campaigners to coincide with the WEF summit in the Swiss mountain resort. Opening the “Public Eye on Davos”, Lafontaine said that a war with Iraq would be a “terrorist act” and that it would intensify hatred toward the United States. His speech included strong criticism of the US and…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hope for progress in Sudan peace talks

This content was published on Jan 23, 2003 Switzerland is one of several countries mediating the talks aimed at ending 20 years of civil war. An estimated two million people have died and four million have been displaced as a result of the fighting between the Muslim government in the north and the rebels from the Christian south. Josef Bucher, the Swiss special…

Swiss Politics

Political leaders come face to face in Davos

This content was published on Jan 23, 2003 For Swiss politicians and business leaders the forum is primarily an opportunity for networking on a large scale. More than 2,000 representatives of business, politics, non-governmental organisations and the media from 100 countries are expected to attend. Representing the Swiss government will be the finance minister, Kaspar Villiger, the economics minister, Joseph Deiss, the interior…

Swiss Politics

WEF summit opens amid mounting global concerns

This content was published on Jan 22, 2003 But this year there are serious doubts about whether the political and business leaders present have it in their power to make a difference. “One could say that there are two groups [of people] holding illusions about the Davos gathering,” says Beat Kappeler, a respected Swiss media commentator. “One [group] is the CEOs there who…

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