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Swiss Politics

Young people want Switzerland to be an island

This content was published on Aug 19, 2003 Nearly half of the young adults polled indicated they were anti-immigration and in favour of keeping Switzerland free from foreign influences. Some 20,000 young people participated in the defence ministry study. Almost half of them (44 per cent) said they would vote for a proposal to restrict the number of foreigners in Switzerland to ten…

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German ambassador has Swiss interests at heart

This content was published on Aug 17, 2003 Elbe told swissinfo he did not believe the long-running dispute over Zurich airport would sour relations between the two neighbours. The two nations have been at loggerheads since the Swiss parliament rejected a controversial air transport accord in March this year. The deal is aimed at cutting by a third the number of flights approaching…

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Swiss Politics

Security fears cast shadow over e-government

This content was published on Aug 15, 2003 But three-quarters of those questioned said they would not give out personal details over the Internet unless security were guaranteed. Most of the 1,000 Swiss adults interviewed by the GfS research institute – 83 per cent – said they would use the Internet for everyday administrative tasks such as registering a change of address or…

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Swiss Politics

Gaza Strip incident overshadows Israeli visit

This content was published on Aug 12, 2003 Micheline Calmy-Rey said she was “dissatisfied” with Israel’s explanation as to why army fire hit the diplomat’s car in the Gaza Strip in May. The car carrying Jean-Jacques Joris, the Swiss representative to the Palestinian Authority, was fired on as it approached a checkpoint. Joris survived the attack unharmed. Calmy-Rey described the shooting as “serious”.…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss urged to open up in National Day speeches

This content was published on Aug 1, 2003 They also said Swiss people must move with the changing times and that there should be more unity among the different regions. The Swiss president, Pascal Couchepin, said he hoped Switzerland would have a greater presence in European affairs over the next few years. “It is important that we assert our presence and our solidarity,…

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Swiss Politics

Couchepin calls Swiss abroad to the ballot box

This content was published on Jul 31, 2003 In his speech for National Day on August 1, Couchepin said votes from expatriate Swiss could make a significant difference in bringing about social reforms. “I hope that even more of you will exercise your democratic rights his autumn. As a group, you carry much political weight,” said Couchepin. He added that the 600,000 Swiss…

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Swiss Politics

“Safe” list blocks asylum requests from 40 nations

This content was published on Jul 30, 2003 The Federal Refugee Office on Wednesday said asylum applications from 40 “safe” nations – where human rights are deemed to be respected – would not be considered. The list, which will be applied from Swiss National Day on August 1, comes three months ahead of the general elections, with asylum laws and the treatment of…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss election campaign turns ugly

This content was published on Jul 29, 2003 A planned poster campaign by the rightwing People’s Party depicting the Swiss as “negroes” has sparked controversy amid accusations of racism. The poster, which was drafted by the party’s St Gallen branch, criticises the government’s asylum policy. Bearing the slogan, “We Swiss are always the Negroes”, the poster shows a man with a ring through…

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Swiss Politics

Greens move to block Euro stadium

This content was published on Jul 28, 2003 If successful, the campaign would probably prevent Zurich’s involvement in the 2008 European football championships. Zurich is one of four Swiss cities due to host the continent’s biggest sporting tournament, following the successful joint bid by the Swiss and Austrian football associations. However, environmentalists and some local residents have reacted angrily to the Zurich proposals,…

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Swiss Politics

Geneva fights to retain UN body

This content was published on Jul 22, 2003 The agency looks set to be merged with another UN body in New York as part of internal cost-cutting measures. The Geneva-based UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations is meeting this week to discuss globalisation issues – and its future. Manuel Tornare, a member of the city council, is convinced that Geneva would offer the…

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