Swiss Politics

Israeli arms deal catches flak

This content was published on Oct 15, 2006 Both the Group for Switzerland without an Army and the Greens have repeatedly urged the government to scrap military collaboration with Israel and other Middle East countries. On Sunday the defence ministry confirmed a report in the SonntagsZeitung newspaper that Switzerland would be buying equipment from Israel for its Super Puma helicopters. The material, valued…

Swiss Politics

Swiss back UN sanctions against North Korea

This content was published on Oct 15, 2006 The 15-strong body unanimously approved financial and arms sanctions against the reclusive Communist nation at a meeting in New York on Saturday. Reacting to the Security Council decision, the Swiss foreign ministry said it stood by an earlier pledge to support any binding sanctions imposed by the UN body. The Swiss authorities will also have…

Swiss Politics

New UN chief “not going to have easy task”

This content was published on Oct 13, 2006 Victor-Yves Ghebali, a professor at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, said the South Korean, who was appointed on Friday, would have to deal with the twin challenges of globalisation and the United States. The UN General Assembly confirmed the Security Council’s choice made earlier this week. Ban Ki-moon will take over from…

Swiss Politics

Swiss renew criticism of North Korea at UN

This content was published on Oct 12, 2006 The comments were made on Wednesday by the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations, Peter Maurer, at the General Assembly in New York. The UN is considering what action to take against North Korea, which claimed to have performed the test on Monday. US diplomats are said to be circulating a new draft of a…

Swiss Politics

Fight over child benefit begins in earnest

This content was published on Oct 11, 2006 It comes after the government and supporters of a unified benefit put their case, arguing that the economy can stand the extra costs, and that families’ purchasing power will increase. At present the country’s 26 cantons set their own child benefit levels, which vary widely. The government says it is now time to do away…

Swiss Politics

Swiss press decries North Korea nuclear test

This content was published on Oct 10, 2006 Newspaper editorials reflected on the difficult steps ahead and the possible responses of the world powers with their limited options. On Monday North Korea announced that it had carried out an underground nuclear test. The Swiss government condemned the test and said it was ready to support United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang. The Swiss reaction…

Swiss Politics

Rightwing fears financial pressure from EU

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which forced a nationwide vote on the issue scheduled for November 26, said on Monday the payment could prompt further financial demands from the European Union. Party President Ueli Maurer warned that Switzerland could incur unpredictable costs if voters approved a pledge by parliament and the government to spend SFr1…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland condemns North Korea nuclear test

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 The foreign ministry statement came after North Korea announced on Monday that it had carried out an underground nuclear test. In a strongly worded communiqué, the Swiss government described the reported test as “counter to international efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and a threat to the security of the region”. Neutral Switzerland…

Swiss Politics

Former Swiss ambassador sings Annan’s praises

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 Jenö Staehelin, the first-ever Swiss ambassador to the UN, told swissinfo ahead of the announcement why Kofi Annan has been such an influential figure for Switzerland. swissinfo: What is your assessment of the ten years of the UN with Kofi Annan at the helm? Jenö Staehelin: The first five years were very positive. They ended…

Swiss Politics

Swiss embassy in Tehran beefs up security

This content was published on Oct 8, 2006 The statement followed a report by the Südostschweiz am Sonntag newspaper, which alleged that there were “definite threats” against the Swiss delegation in Iran. “Security measures have been stepped up over the past few weeks at the embassy,” foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Philippe Jeannerat confirmed on Sunday. Jeannerat added that since the Lebanon crisis in July…

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Israeli arms deal catches flak

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Swiss back UN sanctions against North Korea

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New UN chief “not going to have easy task”

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Swiss renew criticism of North Korea at UN

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Fight over child benefit begins in earnest

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Swiss press decries North Korea nuclear test

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Rightwing fears financial pressure from EU

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Switzerland condemns North Korea nuclear test

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Former Swiss ambassador sings Annan’s praises

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Swiss embassy in Tehran beefs up security

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