Swiss Politics

Kenyan violence rooted in “economic interests”

This content was published on Feb 5, 2008 Urs Wiesmann tells swissinfo about the ongoing unrest in Kenya that has led to nearly 800 deaths since the beginning of the year. At the end of January former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan agreed to negotiate between President Mwai Kibaki and his political opponent, Raila Odinga. The two sides are currently talking – a…

Swiss Politics

“Super Tuesday” vote attracts global gaze

This content was published on Feb 4, 2008 For the first time Swiss-based Democrats will be able to vote in the primary via internet, fax and post. The Republicans are instead concentrating on getting supporters overseas to register for the November 4 election. Tuesday, February 5 is America’s moment of truth when Republicans and Democrats from 24 states vote for their favourite candidate…

Swiss Politics

Expatriates arrive in Switzerland from Chad

This content was published on Feb 4, 2008 Thirty-eight people flew via Paris and landed in Zurich, Geneva and Basel on Monday, the Swiss foreign ministry reported. In all, 54 Swiss have now flown from the Chad capital N’Djamena, according to Markus Boerlin, head of the ministry’s emergency task force. Twenty other Swiss, currently under French protection, were to be flown by the…

Swiss Politics

Government sends plane for Chad expatriates

This content was published on Feb 3, 2008 The plane will head on Monday to Libreville in Gabon, where the French army is flying expatriates being evacuated from Chad. The foreign ministry said 49 Swiss including children had left N’Djamena since Saturday along with hundreds of other expatriates. It added that 25 Swiss remained in N’Djamena, housed in two of the three centres…

Swiss Politics

Swiss proposal rejected at Bali conference

This content was published on Feb 1, 2008 The foreign ministry said it regretted that the meeting could not agree on a mechanism for reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The conference on the Indonesian island of Bali was also presented a plan by Switzerland to tackle the controversial issue of asset recovery. Switzerland has played a pioneering role…

Swiss Politics

ICRC calls for detainee rights amid “progress”

This content was published on Jan 30, 2008 The Geneva-based organisation’s president, Jakob Kellenberger, was in Washington, where he held talks with US officials. The group said that while it remains critical of US policies, it added that “noticeable progress” had been made. An ICRC spokesperson cited as an example monthly videoconferences which have recently started with detainees at Bagram Air Force Base…

Swiss Politics

Debt collectors want defaulters to pay price

This content was published on Jan 30, 2008 In 2006 there were 883,112 collection orders filed, amounting to SFr728.1 million ($667 million), according to the Swiss collection association. Reforms bringing Switzerland closer to the European Union late-payment model were needed to avoid prompt-paying businesses and customers being unfairly punished, politicians and debt collectors said on Tuesday. Thomas Kast, president of the Swiss collection…

Swiss Politics

Government moves to protect Swiss orchards

This content was published on Jan 29, 2008 In a statement on Tuesday, it said the use of streptomycin would be strictly controlled. The antibiotic is only authorised for use during the main period of infection, the spring. Streptomycin, which is sprayed on trees, is opposed by environmentalists. The Agriculture Office said that application may only take place in approved areas and that…

Swiss Politics

Brussels approves accords on closer ties

This content was published on Jan 28, 2008 The formal approval at EU minister level paves the way for the bilateral agreements to come into force later this year, once legal and other technicalities about Swiss participation in the Schengen Area have been ironed out. Bern is aiming for November, a date that Brussels feels is feasible. “We as the European Commission are…

Swiss Politics

Swiss help keep Korean peace

This content was published on Jan 28, 2008 swissinfo visits the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea to learn what it’s like to be one of five Swiss army officers keeping watch on one of the world’s political hotspots. “We are entering the Joint Security Area (JSA). From now on, please follow my instructions scrupulously. Shooting can start at any time,”…

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Kenyan violence rooted in “economic interests”

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“Super Tuesday” vote attracts global gaze

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Expatriates arrive in Switzerland from Chad

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Government sends plane for Chad expatriates

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Swiss proposal rejected at Bali conference

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ICRC calls for detainee rights amid “progress”

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Debt collectors want defaulters to pay price

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Government moves to protect Swiss orchards

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Brussels approves accords on closer ties

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Swiss help keep Korean peace

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