Swiss Identity

Swiss bring together warring Nepalese parties

This content was published on Feb 22, 2003 Both sides said the six-day meeting, organised by the Swiss Development Agency (SDC), had been useful and hoped it would help put an end to the bloody conflict in the Himalayan kingdom. The uprising in Nepal has claimed more than 7,000 lives since 1996, when the Maoists took up arms in a bid to overthrow…

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Swiss stick to policies of the Gulf War

This content was published on Feb 21, 2003 The government made clear its position on Friday – one that echoes the policy of the Gulf War, which proved a watershed for Swiss foreign policy. The Gulf War, precipitated by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, forced Switzerland to adapt its neutrality to a new world order. It was the first time Switzerland adopted UN sanctions…

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Campaign calls for racism-free electioneering

This content was published on Feb 21, 2003 They say they are alarmed by the rise in racist propaganda in the run-up to October’s general elections and have urged candidates from all parties to sign up to an anti-racism charter. The Fairness Campaign – launched on Friday – is the brainchild of the Swiss Forum against Racism, which represents over 30 anti-racist organisations.…

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New device helps predict avalanche danger

This content was published on Feb 20, 2003 The probe is a telescopic metal device, similar to a car antenna, which is pushed into snow to measure the density of the snow pack underfoot. Snow density is a key indicator of how deadly a particular slope is. The most common way to check a slope is to dig a metre-deep snow trench to…

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ICRC calls for action to help “the missing”

This content was published on Feb 20, 2003 The problem is particularly acute in wartime, when casualties are often unaccounted for. The ICRC estimates there are millions of people around the world who have disappeared as a result of war and internal strife, and whose families have no idea what happened to them. This week’s conference marks the first time the problem has…

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Federal judge told to resign after “spitting” incident

This content was published on Feb 20, 2003 Federal Court judges on Wednesday took the unprecedented step of condemning an incident involving Martin Schubarth in the entry hall of the Lausanne-based court. Swiss media reports said Schubarth spat on a journalist from the German-language daily “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” (NZZ) as well as a court typist on February 11. Schubarth denies the allegation, saying…

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Anti-US attitude rooted in fear of superpowers

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 In an article first published in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung newspaper, security expert Karl Haltiner writes that Switzerland’s anti-American attitude is rooted more in a general aversion to superpowers. “Opinion polls show that Switzerland is the most anti-American nation among other European countries, and the majority of the population is not only against US policies…

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Swiss say it’s “too early” for war

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 Switzerland also said it would limit the use of Swiss airspace to humanitarian flights, at the same time as ruling out asylum for the Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. Pierre Helg, Switzerland’s deputy permanent representative to the UN in New York, told the Security Council on Wednesday that force should only be used once “all peaceful…

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Iraqis in Switzerland fearful of war

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 Anna Nelson asked an Iraqi intellectual in Lausanne how Iraqis feel about the United States-led campaign to oust Saddam. Mr T, who has been living in Switzerland for nearly 20 years, asked not to be named because of fears for his safety and for his family and friends in Iraq. swissinfo: What is your opinion…

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Iraq debate has Swiss grappling with airspace issue

This content was published on Feb 18, 2003 The defence ministry has confirmed that it received a request from Washington for permission to use Swiss airspace. The threat of war has dominated public debate for weeks, although much of it is tempered by the reality that Switzerland has little say in world events. Beyond humanitarian initiatives, Switzerland’s ability to influence the crisis surrounding…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Swiss bring together warring Nepalese parties

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Swiss stick to policies of the Gulf War

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Campaign calls for racism-free electioneering

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New device helps predict avalanche danger

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ICRC calls for action to help “the missing”

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Federal judge told to resign after “spitting” incident

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Anti-US attitude rooted in fear of superpowers

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Swiss say it’s “too early” for war

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Iraqis in Switzerland fearful of war

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Iraq debate has Swiss grappling with airspace issue

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