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Swiss Politics

Firms warned to watch out for foreign spies

This content was published on Sep 1, 2004 It follows a recent report on internal security in Switzerland which warned that the Russian secret service was increasingly targeting foreign businesses. According to the Federal Police Office, companies working in the financial, research and technology sectors are most at risk. “We still have numerous intelligence services all over the world that are charged with…

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Couchepin proposals put the family first

This content was published on Aug 31, 2004 Political parties from across the spectrum have welcomed his proposals. Couchepin’s comments came in tandem with the government’s new report into the family, which he presented during his annual meeting with the media at St Peter’s Island near Biel on Tuesday. The family is currently a hotly debated topic in Switzerland: tax cuts, allowances and…

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Swiss Politics

Overseas vote could tip US election

This content was published on Aug 30, 2004 In Switzerland and across Europe, organisations representing US citizens overseas are reporting a huge surge in absentee ballot requests ahead of November 2. According to both Democrats Abroad and Republicans Abroad, expatriate voter numbers appear to be four times higher than they were at this time in 2000. And they say the overseas vote could…

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Swiss feel safe but worry about welfare

This content was published on Aug 27, 2004 But the report also highlights concerns about unemployment and social security, and suggests that young people are becoming disenchanted with the armed forces. The study by the Military Academy at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich found that the feeling of security had increased slightly since the last report was carried out a year…

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Swiss Politics

Delayed parliamentary visit to Turkey goes ahead

This content was published on Aug 26, 2004 The Senate foreign affairs committee said the five-day trip was a sign of “improved bilateral relations” between Bern and Ankara. The committee called off last year’s scheduled trip at short notice after Turkey cancelled a visit by the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, amid an escalating diplomatic row. Turkish sensibilities were offended after two Swiss…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss observer fears rigged election in Chechnya

This content was published on Aug 26, 2004 Swiss parliamentarian Andreas Gross, who is representing the Council of Europe in Chechnya, says only the Kremlin’s candidate has a realistic chance of winning. Gross has made regular visits to the troubled southern Russian republic over the past few years on behalf of the Council of Europe. He will be in Chechnya this weekend, leading…

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Swiss Politics

Foreign ministry reforms filter through

This content was published on Aug 25, 2004 For the second year in a row, representatives of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) have attended the annual ambassadors’ conference in Bern. Until now, development aid and foreign representation have been two very separate divisions within the ministry. But last year, Calmy-Rey said she wanted to break down the walls between the…

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Swiss Politics

ICRC launches major airlift to Sudan

This content was published on Aug 24, 2004 The Geneva-based organisation said on Tuesday its aim was to help the thousands of people who urgently need humanitarian aid. “We need to send material that is desperately required to reinforce our work in the field,” said ICRC spokesman Marco Jimenez. The aid will help with food, health and water needs in the area, which…

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Swiss Politics

Blocher toes government line on citizenship vote

This content was published on Aug 23, 2004 But Blocher, who is known to be against the proposals, said he would not personally be campaigning for a “yes” vote in a nationwide ballot on September 26. Blocher – a member of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party – refused on Monday to divulge his personal opinion about the citizenship votes. But he said he…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss see little to fear from Schengen

This content was published on Aug 20, 2004 But the rightwing Swiss People’s Party voted overwhelmingly on Saturday to fight plans to join both treaties. The GfS Bern polling and research institute, which was commissioned by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, found that if a vote were held now, two-thirds of voters would support Switzerland’s move to join Schengen and Dublin. A treaty to…

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