Swiss Politics

Experts debate peace in the Middle East

This content was published on Sep 5, 2004 Organised by the Swiss foreign ministry, the meeting brings together experts in the field as well as politicians past and present from the Middle East, the United States and Europe. The foreign ministry said Monday’s conference, entitled “Civilian Peace Building in the Middle East”, was intended to highlight different approaches to peace-building in the region.…

Swiss Politics

Blocher proposes setting up refugee camps abroad

This content was published on Sep 3, 2004 But the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has criticised the plans and warned that they will not solve the problem of illegal immigration. Blocher’s proposals come as the Swiss parliament debates plans to tighten the country’s asylum laws. The justice minister, a member of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, suggests that refugee centres could be…

Swiss Politics

Delegation hails successful visit to Turkey

This content was published on Sep 3, 2004 Peter Briner, the head of the group, told swissinfo that there was nothing now to prevent foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey from visiting Ankara. Calmy-Rey and the foreign affairs committee delegation had been due to make scheduled trips to Turkey last year, but these were called off at short notice. Turkey was angered when two Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Swiss seek human rights dialogue with Pakistan

This content was published on Sep 1, 2004 In an interview with swissinfo, Switzerland’s ambassador to Islamabad is also optimistic about the outcome of negotiations between Pakistan and India. The nuclear neighbours have fought two wars over the disputed region of Kashmir. Dunant has served as Switzerland’s representative in Pakistan for nearly five years. He took up his post in January 2000, three…

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…

Swiss Politics

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…

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…

Swiss Politics

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…

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…

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…

Swiss Politics

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Experts debate peace in the Middle East

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Blocher proposes setting up refugee camps abroad

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Delegation hails successful visit to Turkey

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Swiss seek human rights dialogue with Pakistan

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Firms warned to watch out for foreign spies

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Couchepin proposals put the family first

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Overseas vote could tip US election

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Swiss feel safe but worry about welfare

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Delayed parliamentary visit to Turkey goes ahead

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Swiss observer fears rigged election in Chechnya

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