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Swiss Politics

Cantons play decisive role in UN vote

This content was published on Mar 3, 2002 For Swiss membership of the UN to go ahead, a simple majority of the popular vote is not enough – a majority of Switzerland’s 26 cantons have to say yes as well. Campaigning in the swing cantons like Lucerne was especially intense, as both sides tried to mobilise every vote. In the end, the canton…

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Swiss Politics

UN opponents fly the flag for neutrality

This content was published on Mar 3, 2002 Those campaigning for a “no” vote deny they are isolationist. They say Swiss neutrality – strictly interpreted – cannot survive UN membership because, by joining the organisation, Switzerland will inevitably lose its power to determine its relations with the rest of the world. “Switzerland’s strength lies in its independence and its openness to the outside…

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Swiss Politics

Opinion: winning campaign loses the argument

This content was published on Mar 1, 2002 In the overseas press, Swiss politics are dismissed as parochial, irrelevant, dull and predictable. But there is nothing dull or predictable about the poster war now raging ahead of Sunday’s vote on UN membership. Even after 14 years as an observer of the Swiss scene, I would not bet on the outcome. There’s no doubt…

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Swiss Politics

Business backs UN membership

This content was published on Mar 1, 2002 Supporters of UN membership include the Swiss Business Federation (Economiesuisse), the Swiss Employers’ Association and the Swiss Association of Commercial Employees. Under the umbrella of the Swiss Business Federation, most of the country’s biggest companies such as UBS, Novartis and Nestlé urged people to vote “yes”. However, this has not always been the case. The…

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Swiss Politics

Petrovsky says adieu as Swiss head to polls

This content was published on Feb 28, 2002 Speaking to swissinfo ahead of Sunday’s vote on joining the UN, Petrovsky said Switzerland could lead by example as a member. “Switzerland has developed as a multi-cultural, democratic country, which is based on a certain moral and ethical values. This is exactly the kind of example we need in the United Nations,” Petrovsky said. “It…

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Swiss Politics

Government throws weight behind Euro 2008 bid

This content was published on Feb 27, 2002 The cabinet earmarked a total of SFr3.5 million ($2.1 million) for infrastructure and security at four football stadiums. Part of the funds is also destined for a national sports awareness campaign and for services provided by the armed forces, mainly to back up police and for transport. The cabinet made its contribution dependent on a…

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Swiss Politics

No Swiss military observers in Sudan

This content was published on Feb 23, 2002 Oswald Sigg, spokesman for the defence ministry, told the Swiss daily newspaper “TagesAnzeiger” such a mission would be impossible without a mandate from the United Nations (UN) or the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Last month Switzerland hosted US mediated talks between the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and Sudanese officials in…

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Swiss Politics

Missile Base

This content was published on Feb 22, 2002

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Swiss Politics

Swiss stand sentinel on last Cold War divide

This content was published on Feb 21, 2002 Security in the four-kilometre wide strip between the two Koreas has been tight since the September 11 attacks, and especially this week during a visit by President George W Bush. For the five Swiss observers stationed in the zone, Bush’s presence served as a reminder that the border lies at the “heart of global geo-politics,”…

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Swiss Politics

Poll shows UN supporters gaining ground

This content was published on Feb 20, 2002 The poll, carried out by the GFS institute, shows that 54 per cent of voters now approve UN membership, while 37 per cent oppose it. Nine per cent of those questioned were still undecided. Compared with the results of a similar survey carried out by the GFS institute on behalf of the German-language national television,…

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