Swiss Politics

Quake victims face “race for survival”

This content was published on Dec 7, 2005 The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) says it is racing against time to provide shelter for survivors. Last week the International Organisation for Migration said that most of the tents being given to some of the 3.5 million people made homeless in northwest Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir were not designed to cope with…

Swiss Politics

Leuenberger elected 2006 Swiss president

This content was published on Dec 7, 2005 Leuenberger received 159 of 225 valid votes for the largely ceremonial post, which is shared among the seven cabinet ministers on a one-year, rotating basis. The 59-year-old Social Democrat from Zurich has been a cabinet minister since 1995 when he replaced Otto Stich. Leuenberger is the minister in charge of transport, energy, communications and environment…

Swiss Politics

Calls to boost the role of sport

This content was published on Dec 6, 2005 The three-day meeting marked the end of the United Nations International Year of Sport. The conference adopted a ten-point programme, dubbed “Call to action”, on Tuesday. It appealed to all parties concerned to use the legacy of the UN International Year of Sport to promote peace worldwide, and recognise the role of sport in education…

Swiss Politics

Serbs question Kosovo adviser’s impartiality

This content was published on Dec 6, 2005 Thomas Fleiner, head of Fribourg University’s Federalism Institute, was asked by Belgrade in November to advise the team of Serb negotiators. In an interview with the Belgrade-based weekly magazine Nin, Tadic indirectly questioned Fleiner’s independence, and whether his institute’s research is funded by public money. The Serb leader said it would be reasonable to clarify…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey calls for unity on Red Cross emblem

This content was published on Dec 5, 2005 The two-day meeting attended by representatives from the 192 signatory states to the Geneva Conventions is the result of tightrope diplomacy by Switzerland. Opening the diplomatic conference on Monday, Micheline Calmy-Rey spoke of the need for a third humanitarian symbol – the so-called “red crystal” – that was free of all national, political or religious…

Swiss Politics

Conference highlights importance of sport

This content was published on Dec 5, 2005 The Swiss president, Samuel Schmid, greeted around 400 delegates from the worlds of sport, politics, business and science on Sunday to the conference, which is taking place near Biel. The meeting is organised by the United Nations special adviser on sport for development and peace, Adolf Ogi, and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation…

Swiss Politics

Judgement day looms for new Red Cross symbol

This content was published on Dec 4, 2005 The two-day meeting is the result of tightrope diplomacy by Switzerland to resolve the long-standing issue of a third humanitarian symbol. Approval of the so-called “red crystal” by the signatory states moved a step closer last week when the Israeli and Palestinian emergency services signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement. The accord, brokered by the Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Survey favours Leuenberger and Calmy-Rey

This content was published on Dec 4, 2005 Parliamentarians are expected to back Leuenberger as the 2006 Swiss president when they vote on Wednesday. The rightwing Swiss People’s Party has declared it will oppose his appointment. However, a survey published in Le Matin Dimanche newspaper shows that Leuenberger’s impending accession to the Swiss presidency is widely supported by the public. According to the…

Swiss Politics

People’s Party reaffirms anti-Europe stance

This content was published on Dec 3, 2005 The new document, agreed upon at a national party conference, calls for the withdrawal of Switzerland’s dormant EU membership application. At a meeting in Suhr in canton Aargau, party delegates unanimously approved the 11-point policy document, which states that the bilateral approach is only acceptable as long as Swiss sovereignty and democratic rights are protected.…

Swiss Politics

Conference takes stock of demining work

This content was published on Dec 3, 2005 The meeting of signatory countries to the 1997 Ottawa Convention on banning landmines served to review progress on global demining activities. The treaty prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel mines. At last year’s meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, delegates adopted a five-year plan for clearing mines, destroying stockpiles and improving care for victims.…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Quake victims face “race for survival”

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Leuenberger elected 2006 Swiss president

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Calls to boost the role of sport

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Serbs question Kosovo adviser’s impartiality

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Calmy-Rey calls for unity on Red Cross emblem

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Conference highlights importance of sport

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Judgement day looms for new Red Cross symbol

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Survey favours Leuenberger and Calmy-Rey

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People’s Party reaffirms anti-Europe stance

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Conference takes stock of demining work

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