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Swiss Politics

Demonstrators demand rights for illegal immigrants

This content was published on Nov 24, 2001 Demonstrators also demanded an immediate halt to deportations, a minimum wage of SFr3,000 for illegal workers and an improvement in their living and working conditions. The protest, which was organised by national campaigners and local groups, received support from more than 150 organisations, including the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the Swiss Federation of…

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Swiss People’s Party rejects UN membership

This content was published on Nov 24, 2001 The result was a victory for the party president, Ueli Maurer, who declared that membership of the UN would weaken Switzerland and undermine its traditional independence and neutrality. “The same people who, yesterday, came a cropper over Swissair’s international expansion are today pushing us into the arms of the UN,” he warned. “They believe the…

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Senate commission wants weapons for Swisscoy now

This content was published on Nov 23, 2001 The soldiers should receive weapons earlier than planned according to the senators. The government had recommended the Kosovo troop wait until next October to be armed. A platoon of 50 men will be sent to the Balkans next autumn, along with five tanks, to reinforce the 160-strong Swisscoy. The commission believes the soldiers shouldn’t have…

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Swiss Politics

Army removes explosives from Gotthard tunnel depot

This content was published on Nov 23, 2001 The Defence Ministry said the explosives, which have been kept at the Gotthard as part of Switzerland’s traditional security system, would be removed. The ministry said the move was in line with an overhaul of Switzerland’s defence strategy underway since the end of the Cold War era. About 1,000 of Switzerland’s key tunnels and bridges…

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Swiss Politics

Experts meet to discuss Macedonia’s future

This content was published on Nov 22, 2001 The three-day conference, which brings together Swiss and international experts, along with Macedonian specialists and personalities, comes after the Balkan republic was faced with armed ethnic conflict this summer. International mediation brought about a cease-fire to the fighting between ethnic Albanian rebels and the country’s armed forces. The parliament in Skopje approved constitutional reforms last…

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Swiss Politics

Disagreements could jeopardise biological weapons accord

This content was published on Nov 22, 2001 Following a number of recent anthrax attacks, the US wants to increase criminal penalties for the use of toxic weapons, and has proposed that nations’ laws be changed accordingly. However, the US favours voluntary measures, including making violation of the treaty a crime. Other nations want to take an even tougher stance, with some recommending…

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Swiss Politics

Irish Senate approves bilateral accords

This content was published on Nov 21, 2001 The Irish government had already said yes last week, and no surprises were expected form the senators on Wednesday. “The five or six representatives present all voted for the accords,” said Switzerland’s ambassador to Eire, Eric Pfister. The members of the Dail, the lower house, still have to give their approval, something that should happen…

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Swiss Politics

Swiss move to ease citizenship path for young foreigners

This content was published on Nov 21, 2001 Children born in Switzerland to immigrant parents – the so-called second generation – who have a residency permit and who have gone to school in Switzerland for at least five years should benefit from simplified procedures, according to the authorities. Under the proposals, presented by the justice ministry on Wednesday, these young foreigners must have…

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Swiss Politics

France gives thumbs up to bilateral accords

This content was published on Nov 21, 2001 The French parliament’s approval of the accords – nearly a year after they were due to be implemented – means they are likely to come into force in early 2002. After a lengthy debate on Tuesday evening, the lower house voted in favour of the accords, which cover cross-border trade and transport issues. Several deputies…

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Swiss pensioner receives prize for international relief work

This content was published on Nov 19, 2001 The SFr5,000 prize, awarded annually by a Swiss women’s interest group to individuals or organisations who help other women around the world, was given to 72-year-old Elisabeth Neuenschwander in recognition for her work with Afghan refugees living in camps in Pakistan. Neuenschwander first travelled to Pakistan in 1978, when she was asked to travel to…

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