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Swiss Politics

Christian Democrats reject changes to abortion law

This content was published on Apr 27, 2002 Delegates to the centre-right party’s meeting in Gerlafingen, canton Solothurn, voted by 201 to 73 against a government-backed initiative to legalise abortion. They also rejected the “For Mother and Child” initiative, which calls for a strict ban on abortion, except in extreme circumstances, by 259 votes to 4. The two votes are in line with…

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Jenin team’s mission delayed

This content was published on Apr 27, 2002 The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, agreed to a request for a one-day delay from the Israeli foreign minister, Shimon Peres. But the UN refused to give in to pressure from Israel to omit the former Red Cross chief, Cornelio Sommaruga, from the high-level mission to the Palestinian refugee camp. The UN undersecretary-general for political…

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Swiss government sticks to banking secrecy

This content was published on Apr 24, 2002 The announcement comes after days of speculation in the Swiss press that the government might be prepared to make concessions on banking secrecy in order to conclude a second set of bilateral agreements with the European Union. Brussels wants a compromise on banking secrecy to ensure that Switzerland complies with EU legislation on the prosecution…

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Swiss Politics

Blatter set for Stockholm showdown

This content was published on Apr 24, 2002 Lennart Johansson, the president of European football body UEFA and a former rival for Blatter’s position, has been highly critical of the FIFA president’s tenure. On Thursday the two men are set to meet at a UEFA congress in the Swedish capital. On the eve of the congress Johansson launced a further attack on Blatter’s…

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Swiss Politics

RUAG defends arms operations with Israel

This content was published on Apr 24, 2002 The company’s operations in the Middle East have come under media scrutiny amid the escalating conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. “RUAG does not export material to Israel but is involved in existing contracts between the Swiss government and Israel,” RUAG chief executive Toni Wicki told swissinfo. “We are participating in production of material with…

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Swiss Politics

Appenzell celebrates democracy – Swiss style

This content was published on Apr 24, 2002 Citizens of the half canton Appenzell Inner Rhoden in eastern Switzerland are taking part in an open-air vote on local issues and to elect the local authorities. The “Landsgemeinde” dates back to the 14th century, and Appenzell Inner Rhoden is – along with Glarus – the last canton in the country to uphold the tradition.…

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Moving beyond aid

This content was published on Apr 23, 2002 Rather than just concentrating on handing out humanitarian and development aid to nations in need, Deiss told swissinfo that his week-long tour of South Asia had proved that Switzerland has a greater political role to play. Active UN member Deiss said the countries he visited, namely Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bhutan and India, were eager for Switzerland…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss right denies parallels with Le Pen

This content was published on Apr 22, 2002 Le Pen grabbed over 17 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s first round, pitting him against the incumbent, Jacques Chirac, in the run-off and condemning Prime Minister Lionel Jospin to political oblivion. Parallels were immediately drawn with the successes of right-wing parties in other countries, including Switzerland, where the Swiss People’s Party vastly increased…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss startled by Le Pen upset in French elections

This content was published on Apr 22, 2002 Le Pen will face conservative President Jacques Chirac in the May 5 second round, while Lionel Jospin, the current prime minister, is out of the race and announced on Sunday that he would resign from politics altogether. Swiss newspapers and politicians expressed their concern at the result, which Der Bund described as a “political earthquake”…

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Swiss Politics

Deiss in India for final leg of Asian tour

This content was published on Apr 21, 2002 During his three-day stay in the country, Deiss will meet various Indian government officials and will visit development projects that have been co-funded by Switzerland. India is among the countries earmarked for financial aid by the Swiss Development Agency, which has pledged SFr31.5 million this year alone. Deiss also held talks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and…

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