Swiss Politics

Swiss optimistic ahead of WTO talks

This content was published on Jul 20, 2008 Representatives of World Trade Organization members will attempt to end the so-called Doha round, which calls for cuts to tariffs and subsidies that constrain exports but has stumbled so far on sensitive issues such as agriculture. Leuthard said on Sunday that Switzerland considers the conclusion of the round important. She added that she would fight…

Swiss Politics

Hostage mediator denies Colombian allegations

This content was published on Jul 20, 2008 Gontard told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper that he had never passed on funds to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) while negotiating the release of two employees of Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis in 2001. Earlier this week, Colombia’s public prosecutor announced there would be a probe into whether the Swiss mediator carried $500,000…

Swiss Politics

No result at Iran nuclear talks

This content was published on Jul 19, 2008 But Tehran’s representatives ruled out on Saturday in Geneva freezing the Iranian programme in talks that included the United States for the first time. EU envoy Javier Solana told reporters after discussions with Iranian negotiator Saeed Jalili that the two would speak either by telephone or personally. “The meeting was constructive, but we didn’t get…

Swiss Politics

Swiss expats push for e-voting

This content was published on Jul 18, 2008 The organisation, which is based in Bern, said the current situation was untenable since Swiss voters abroad were treated like people living in Switzerland. The organisation said many of its members complained that ballot papers often arrived late, were not complete or were sent in the wrong language version. In May a parliamentary committee rejected…

Swiss Politics

Gaddafi’s son released on bail in Geneva

This content was published on Jul 17, 2008 Motassim Bilal Gaddafi, also known as Hannibal Gaddafi, was arrested at the five-star Hotel President Wilson on Tuesday after two of his servants accused him of hitting them, his lawyer Robert Assaël told the Swiss News Agency on Thursday. Geneva magistrate Michel-Alexandre Graber had charged Gaddafi, 32, with inflicting physical injuries and using threats and…

Swiss Politics

Apology after Red Cross symbol worn by rescuer

This content was published on Jul 16, 2008 Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said on Wednesday that a member of the military mission that tricked Colombian rebels into freeing 15 hostages on July 2 had been wearing the insignia. “An officer mistakenly and contrary to orders … put a piece of cloth on his vest that carried the symbol of the International Committee of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss on target in small arms survey

This content was published on Jul 16, 2008 However, Switzerland was named one of the most transparent small arms exporters in the latest Small Arms Survey, published annually by the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International Studies (GIIS). “The score for Switzerland on transparency has improved dramatically, partly because there’s been a strong effort by the Swiss government to take seriously concerns for being…

Swiss Politics

Swiss call for debate on Security Council

This content was published on Jul 16, 2008 But two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, said they were against such a move, arguing that the issue was the business of the council alone. The three other permanent members – Britain, France and the United States – were in favour of the debate, according to Switzerland’s UN ambassador Peter Maurer.…

Swiss Politics

Experts see limited potential for party merger

This content was published on Jul 16, 2008 However, analysts say the move is primarily of symbolic value and unlikely to have a major impact on the party political system as key issues remain unsolved. The Radicals – the third largest group in parliament with two ministers in cabinet – and the small Liberal Party, seek to join forces in October, hoping to…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard accepts apology over frisky Russian

This content was published on Jul 14, 2008 The minister was stopped just before she boarded her plane on her way home following six days of talks aimed at building stronger links between Moscow and Bern. The Russian foreign ministry said an inexperienced security officer at the airport had been unaware that Leuthard’s diplomatic immunity exempted her from being searched, according to an…

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Swiss Politics

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Swiss optimistic ahead of WTO talks

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Hostage mediator denies Colombian allegations

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No result at Iran nuclear talks

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Swiss expats push for e-voting

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Gaddafi’s son released on bail in Geneva

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Apology after Red Cross symbol worn by rescuer

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Swiss on target in small arms survey

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Swiss call for debate on Security Council

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Experts see limited potential for party merger

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Leuthard accepts apology over frisky Russian

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