Swiss Politics

G-8 summit ends with pledge of unity

This content was published on Jun 3, 2003 But Swiss political observers are sceptical that the meeting made much progress in repairing the bitter divisions between the United States and Europe over the war. “Their show of unity was as genuine as you can get these days… and there was some real cooperation on certain issues,” said Jürg Martin Gabriel, a political analyst…

Swiss Politics

Tight budget for Swiss army

This content was published on Jun 3, 2003 The decision came as parliament debated a raft of other military issues, as part of the smallest armament programme in recent Swiss history. On Tuesday, the House also agreed that two Swiss soldiers should take part in peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan, and it extended a mandate for the army to help protect diplomatic missions. The…

Switzerland pleased with G-8 outreach talks

This content was published on Jun 2, 2003 He noted that relations between the United States and France had thawed during the first day of the summit, which kicked off in neighbouring France on Sunday. “At the beginning of the afternoon, I had the impression that feelings were not so warm between President Bush and President Chirac,” Couchepin told swissinfo. But after some…

Swiss Politics

Swiss call on rich nations to keep promises

This content was published on May 31, 2003 At an official state dinner in Lausanne on Saturday, the Swiss president, Pascal Couchepin, called on industrialised countries to live up to their responsibilities towards emerging countries. “If the international community, and most particularly the rich countries, do not keep their promises, then people in poor countries will all too quickly lose hope in democracy…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland hosts talks with developing countries

This content was published on May 31, 2003 Six of Switzerland’s seven cabinet ministers are due to discuss the problems faced by developing countries with the heads of 12 non-industrialised states. With the G-8 summit taking place across the border in the French alpine resort of Evian, Switzerland is hosting a conference for developing countries, which kicks off with a formal dinner in…

Swiss Politics

Rain fails to dampen anti-G-8 protest

This content was published on May 29, 2003 Around 4,000 demonstrators – far fewer than expected – braved heavy rain as they took to the streets in a vocal but peaceful protest. The atmosphere during the march was fairly relaxed, with only a few minor skirmishes between riot police and angry demonstrators. An anti-violence intervention group – made up of around 100 volunteers…

Swiss Politics

Swiss ambassador says UN still has future

This content was published on May 28, 2003 swissinfo’s Imogen Foulkes talked to Jenö Staehelin after his speech. During a talk at the University of Zurich, which was provocatively entitled ‘After the conflict in Iraq, do we need the United Nations?’ Staehelin presented a pragmatic view of the UN. His vision was one in which the rest of the world accepted the United…

Swiss Politics

G-8 brings kudos and headaches for Swiss

This content was published on May 28, 2003 Some say the French will get all the glory, while the Swiss will wind up with all the headaches. Others argue that the meeting will offer Switzerland the opportunity to put the Lake Geneva region “back on the map” as a centre for international exchange. “There’s no denying that a huge burden has been placed…

Swiss Politics

China welcomes Swiss efforts in North Korea

This content was published on May 23, 2003 The Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, said the Swiss foreign minister’s visit to the Far East had been a useful contribution towards peace on the Korean peninsula. A spokesman for the Swiss foreign ministry said Jiabao praised Micheline Calmy-Rey’s efforts to promote peace in the region. “Minister Calmy-Rey’s trip to Asia turned out to be…

Swiss Politics

Greens mark time on the benches

This content was published on May 23, 2003 Although they make up the fifth largest group in parliament – behind the four parties in government – they are likely to remain in opposition. Switzerland was the first country in the world to elect a Green Party member to its national parliament – Daniel Brélaz in 1979, almost four years before the party was…

Swiss Politics

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G-8 summit ends with pledge of unity

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Tight budget for Swiss army

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Switzerland pleased with G-8 outreach talks

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Swiss call on rich nations to keep promises

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Switzerland hosts talks with developing countries

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Rain fails to dampen anti-G-8 protest

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Swiss ambassador says UN still has future

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G-8 brings kudos and headaches for Swiss

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China welcomes Swiss efforts in North Korea

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Greens mark time on the benches

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