Swiss Politics

Bullying won’t work with Iran, says Swiss expert

This content was published on Jun 27, 2005 In articles published in Monday’s newspapers, Pellaud says avoiding confrontation and building confidence is the only way progress will be made with Teheran. Pellaud, former deputy director-general of the IAEA, was writing with Tim Guldimann, former Swiss ambassador to Teheran. Switzerland represents United States interests in Iran. No sooner had Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad been confirmed as…

Swiss Politics

Social Democrats demand third cabinet post

This content was published on Jun 25, 2005 At a meeting in canton Fribourg on Saturday, party members also called for a yes vote in September’s referendum on a key bilateral treaty with the European Union. The party president, Hans-Jürg Fehr, said Switzerland’s second largest party, together with the Greens, was deserving of the third post. For the first time, he said, the…

Swiss Politics

New alliance counters left-right polarisation

This content was published on Jun 25, 2005 The two parties, which already present a united front in parliament, said on Saturday that the new alliance presented a “liberal” alternative to the political polarisation in the country. The president of the Radicals, Fulvio Pelli, told a joint party meeting in Neuchâtel that liberal values were important to put Switzerland on the right track…

Swiss Politics

Ukraine president wants closer ties with Bern

This content was published on Jun 23, 2005 Both he and Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, who is on an official visit, said they were in favour of promoting bilateral ties, particularly in technical and economic areas. Before meeting Yuschenko, Calmy-Rey attended a conference of Swiss ambassadors who are posted in the region. A diplomatic advisor to Calmy-Rey, Simon Geissbühler, said Kiev was…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hope for progress at Iraq conference

This content was published on Jun 22, 2005 Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey is hoping the conference will give a fresh impetus to the democratisation and stabilisation of Iraq. The aim of the conference, co-hosted by the European Union and the United States, is to provide a forum for Iraq’s new transitional government. The 30-man Iraqi delegation, headed by Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari,…

Swiss Politics

Swiss support push for democracy in Iraq

This content was published on Jun 22, 2005 Following the conference, Calmy-Rey said Switzerland was willing to assist the Iraqi government with the task of writing a new constitution. Calmy-Rey represented Switzerland at the Brussels conference, which was attended by high-ranking officials from 80 countries and international organisations. Co-hosted by the European Union and the United States, the conference was called to provide…

Swiss Politics

Swiss criticise UN reform plan as too vague

This content was published on Jun 21, 2005 Peter Maurer’s demands come ahead of a meeting of heads of state in New York in September, when it is hoped world leaders will approve the most far-ranging reforms of the UN in its history. The sweeping reforms focus on development, security and human rights, and include calls for an enlarged Security Council, a Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Swiss strive for peace in Sudan

This content was published on Jun 21, 2005 The United Nations is to take over responsibility for keeping the peace between the government and rebels in the south of the country with Switzerland’s support. The ceasefire agreement was signed at the luxury Bürgenstock resort above Lake Lucerne in January 2002. Since then Switzerland has played a key role in keeping both sides at…

Swiss Politics

Thousands demonstrate in support of refugees

This content was published on Jun 18, 2005 Events were held simultaneously in 200 other towns across the country to protest at Switzerland’s tougher stance on asylum issues. “We will not put up with xenophobic words and political parties,” said Hannes Reiser of the European Citizens’ Forum in an opening speech. Among other speakers at the Bern gathering was former government minister Ruth…

Swiss Politics

Residents back industrial development plan

This content was published on Jun 18, 2005 Approved by the local executive, the plan had met with resistance from many of the community’s 1,548 residents, who collected enough signatures to force Sunday’s referendum. Thomas Fleiner, director of Fribourg University Institute of Federalism, told swissinfo the case was a good example of how direct democracy works in Switzerland. The Swatch Group, the world’s…

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Bullying won’t work with Iran, says Swiss expert

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Social Democrats demand third cabinet post

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New alliance counters left-right polarisation

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Ukraine president wants closer ties with Bern

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Swiss hope for progress at Iraq conference

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Swiss support push for democracy in Iraq

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Swiss criticise UN reform plan as too vague

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Swiss strive for peace in Sudan

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Thousands demonstrate in support of refugees

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Residents back industrial development plan

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