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Swiss Politics

Right wing party attacks government’s UN campaign

This content was published on Jan 12, 2002 During a party conference, Ueli Maurer accused the government of trying to influence the nationwide vote on UN membership on March 3 with tax incentives. He called this practice a major lapse in the cabinet’s policies and accused the government of manipulating the people’s opinions with public money. “Such practices will kill our direct democracy,”…

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ICRC furious at being dragged into UN vote campaign

This content was published on Jan 12, 2002 “We absolutely refuse to be used in any way as an argument in this campaign,” said ICRC spokesperson, Antonella Notari An “outraged” ICRC said it “noted the abusive references made to its name, emblem and activities” in a poster circulated by the Federal Committee for a Neutral, Sovereign and Democratic Switzerland, which is campaigning for…

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Swiss expatriates keen on e-voting

This content was published on Jan 10, 2002 The Organisation for the Swiss Abroad has expressed disappointment about Wednesday’s cabinet decision. But the head of the organisation, Rudolf Wyder, said he understood the concerns presented by e-voting. “There are technical difficulties to be solved, it is relatively costly and there is the problem of security of the votes, which have to tackled.” But…

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Asylum seekers on the rise in Switzerland

This content was published on Jan 8, 2002 According to the Federal Office for Refugees, the number of people seeking asylum last year in Switzerland rose by 3,052, to stand at 20,663. Officials said the increase was probably due to tougher economic conditions pushing migrants to seek a better life in European countries. Nearly 17 per cent of requests for refugee status –…

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Swiss Politics

Government launches UN campaign

This content was published on Jan 8, 2002 The countdown is on for the March 3 nationwide vote, and supporters and opponents are trumpeting their views. Three government ministers on Tuesday presented their case for joining the UN at a news conference in Bern. “The time is ripe for Switzerland to become a member of the United Nations,” said the Swiss president, Kaspar…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss divided over need for professional army

This content was published on Jan 8, 2002 According to a survey published by the Swiss food giant, Coop, 64 per cent of French-speaking Swiss favour a professional army, while 32 per cent think Switzerland should keep its army militia. On the other side of the “Röstigraben”, a fictitious divide which has come to symbolize the frequent differences of opinion between the French…

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Swiss Politics

India: The quiet role of Switzerland

This content was published on Jan 8, 2002 Through governmental and private agreements, Switzerland contributes more than SFr30 million (€20 million) to India, trying to help the poorest of its poor to become more self-sufficient. The two countries have strong business ties, with trade worth SFr1.25 billion per year. The Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, is expected to visit India this spring, returning…

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Swiss Politics

UN opponents fear for Swiss neutrality

This content was published on Jan 7, 2002 The issue will come to a nationwide vote on March 3. A committee led by the right-wing politician, Christoph Blocher, said Switzerland would simply have to take orders if it became a full member of the UN. Therefore, the opponents called on voters to reject the proposal at the ballot box. At a news conference…

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Swiss Politics

Expo. 02 will go ahead “regardless”

This content was published on Jan 6, 2002 In an interview in the German-speaking “Sonntagsblick” newspaper, Nelly Wenger said the exhibition would open its doors on May 15 even if the Swiss government fails to give the financially troubled event SFr 120 million ($72.7 million). According to Wenger the money is needed to bridge the gap left by a lack of sponsorship. She…

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President counts Swiss blessings, urges global outlook

This content was published on Jan 1, 2002 In the traditional speech for the New Year, Villiger appealed to the Swiss to be confident about the future despite the challenges the country faces in the near future. Switzerland had many reasons to be grateful, he said, because unemployment was lower and the welfare system more secure than in other countries. Switzerland offers the…

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