Swiss Politics

Row over Swiss funds to poor EU countries

This content was published on Oct 18, 2005 Alliance Sud said the money set aside by Switzerland for the cohesion funds to support Europe’s weaker economies, should come from other sources. Switzerland agreed to pay SFr1 billion ($840 million) towards the cohesion funds over a five-year period when it signed the second series of bilateral agreements with the EU in May 2004. But…

Swiss Politics

Donor nations need to do more for Sudan

This content was published on Oct 15, 2005 The law professor warns that while peace may have returned to the troubled region after 20 years of civil war, the situation is still far from secure for returnees. After a ten-day visit to Southern Sudan, Kälin called this week on the international community, donor countries and the Sudanese government to ensure the rights of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss forced to re-evaluate extremist threat

This content was published on Oct 14, 2005 The public appearance of 800 Nazi skinheads on August 1 during National Day celebrations on the Rütli, the traditional birthplace of Switzerland, turned a spotlight on the issue and triggered a national debate. Then in September 400 neo-Nazis participated in an unauthorised concert in Valais in honour of Ian Stuart, founder of the extremist organisation…

Swiss Politics

Iraqi diplomat sees hope in new constitution

This content was published on Oct 13, 2005 But Baha Al-Shibib cautions that success in Saturday’s referendum would still leave his country facing a long and difficult journey towards peace and stability. swissinfo: How confident are you that the draft constitution will be accepted? Baha Al-Shibib: I have no doubt that the constitution is going to be adopted by a good majority, because…

Swiss Politics

North Korean policy shift worries Swiss

This content was published on Oct 11, 2005 The Swiss official with special responsibility for North Korea feels the phasing out of humanitarian aid is happening too quickly and may leave vulnerable groups exposed. North Korea, with its population of 22 million, has relied on foreign assistance since natural disasters and mismanagement caused its economy to collapse in the mid-1990s. The communist regime…

Swiss Politics

Swiss sceptical of “marriage of convenience”

This content was published on Oct 11, 2005 Initial press reactions are unanimous in seeing difficulties in the recently negotiated coalition government as well as political reforms. Three weeks after voters gave Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) an unexpectedly narrow win over Gerhard Schröder’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) in a federal election, an agreement has been struck that sets the stage for a…

Swiss Politics

Far-left parties get boot in Geneva elections

This content was published on Oct 10, 2005 But the vote was so tight that ballots are being recounted and Sunday’s results could be overturned. The big winner was the rightwing Geneva Citizens’ Movement (GCM), which gained more than 7.7 per cent of the vote. The party, which was created only three months ago by dissidents from the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, can…

Swiss Politics

Annan backs Geneva to host human rights body

This content was published on Oct 7, 2005 After meeting Swiss government members in Bern, Annan praised Switzerland’s role at the UN and its interest in reform of the organization. The Human Rights Council is designed to replace the much criticized UN Commission on Human Rights, which is based in Geneva. “The Human Rights Council will certainly come to Geneva,” Annan told journalists.…

Swiss Politics

ElBaradei wins Nobel Peace Prize

This content was published on Oct 7, 2005 Initiators of a Swiss project to nominate 1,000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize congratulated ElBaradei but said they were disappointed not to win. The Nobel committee said on Friday that it recognised ElBaradei and the IAEA’s “efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for…

Swiss Politics

Tanks-for-Iraq deal cancelled

This content was published on Oct 5, 2005 The Swiss authorities said the UAE had officially withdrawn its request to buy the used military vehicles, which were destined for Iraq. Reports that the country had cancelled its bid for the carriers were confirmed by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) on Wednesday. The UAE authorities argued they could no longer wait for…

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Row over Swiss funds to poor EU countries

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Donor nations need to do more for Sudan

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Swiss forced to re-evaluate extremist threat

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Iraqi diplomat sees hope in new constitution

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North Korean policy shift worries Swiss

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Swiss sceptical of “marriage of convenience”

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Far-left parties get boot in Geneva elections

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Annan backs Geneva to host human rights body

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ElBaradei wins Nobel Peace Prize

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Tanks-for-Iraq deal cancelled

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