Swiss Abroad

Ogi left in the cold as Olympic Committee enters new era

This content was published on Jul 17, 2001 On Monday, Ogi failed in his bid to become Switzerland’s sixth representative at the IOC. In what is being widely interpreted as a rebuff to the outgoing IOC president, Samaranch, committee members voted by 59 votes to 46 against Ogi’s candidacy. Samaranch had earlier pleaded with members to accept the nomination before the vote took…

Swiss Politics

Fall of France saved Switzerland from Nazi invasion

This content was published on Jul 14, 2001 In his book “Hitler und die Schweiz” (“Hitler and Switzerland”), Stefan Schäfer examines documents stored in the Federal Archives and in the German Military Archives containing details of a planned attack, which he believes posed a serious threat to Switzerland’s independence. According to Schäfer, a historian from the Martin Luther University in Germany, one of…

Swiss Politics

Negotiators go head-to-head at UN conference on small arms

This content was published on Jul 13, 2001 Swiss hopes of pushing for an international treaty governing the control of small arms appeared to suffer a setback this week, after the United States delegation said it would not tolerate any attempts to “constrain legal trade and manufacturing of small arms and light weapons”. “The United States will not join consensus on a final…

Swiss Politics

Beijing to host 2008 Olympic Games

This content was published on Jul 13, 2001 The International Olympic Committee picked Beijing over rival bids from Toronto, Paris, Istanbul and Osaka. IOC officials said China deserved to host the Games because it has been a rising sports power since rejoining the Games in 1984, after a 32-year absence. Many IOC members had argued that the Olympics would promote positive change in…

Swiss Politics

Olympic candidates await IOC decision

This content was published on Jul 13, 2001 Beijing has long been regarded as the city most likely to win the right to stage the games. But it faces stiff competition from Paris and Toronto. Osaka and Istanbul are also in the running. Before the start of voting IOC members heard final presentations from all five Olympic candidates. Osaka was first to put…

Swiss Politics

Swiss doctor put forward as candidate for Nobel Peace Prize

This content was published on Jul 11, 2001 Jan Cibula, himself of gypsy origins, has received five nominations from academic institutions for the coveted prize, which was first awarded in 1901. This year, there are some 120 nominees for the prize, including the Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, and FIFA, the football association. “I’m up against some tough competition,” says Cibula, who nevertheless remains…

Swiss Politics

Armed forces test new service model

This content was published on Jul 9, 2001 The majority of recruits will be doing a 15-week basic course in one of the more than 40 military schools across the country. Later in their career, they will have to do regular refresher courses. On a trial basis, the army is also offering the possibility to serve the full 300 days in one stretch.…

Swiss Politics

Swiss to push for action against illicit trade in small arms

This content was published on Jul 9, 2001 The aim of the meeting, which is being attended by government representatives, including the Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, and non-governmental organisations, is to approve an action plan to reduce the uncontrolled trade in small arms. In an interview with swissinfo, Raimund Kunz of the Swiss foreign ministry underlines the complexity of the issue and…

Swiss Politics

Gay Pride unperturbed by Catholic ultra-conservatives

This content was published on Jul 8, 2001 The programme began with a parade through the streets of the cantonal capital, Sion. Accompanied by a strong police presence, the march passed off without any major incidents. Hostile declarations published by an ultra-conservative group, RomanDit, in March in a local newspaper had sparked fears of potential clashes during the Gay Pride. Instead, some 50…

Swiss Politics

Schwab says unity will be theme of Davos 2002

This content was published on Jul 6, 2001 Schwab was speaking to swissinfo at Zurich’s Federal Institute of Technology where he received a less than warm welcome from around 100 student protesters last week. The students blocked the entrance to the Institute’s main hall where Schwab intended to give a speech on globalisation and social responsibility. Schwab was eventually led into another room…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Ogi left in the cold as Olympic Committee enters new era

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Fall of France saved Switzerland from Nazi invasion

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Negotiators go head-to-head at UN conference on small arms

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Beijing to host 2008 Olympic Games

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Olympic candidates await IOC decision

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Swiss doctor put forward as candidate for Nobel Peace Prize

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Armed forces test new service model

More

Swiss to push for action against illicit trade in small arms

More

Gay Pride unperturbed by Catholic ultra-conservatives

More

Schwab says unity will be theme of Davos 2002

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